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In an experiment to verify Boyle's law, a student measured the length of a column of air of fixed mass and uniform diameter, at different values of air pressure p - Leaving Cert Physics - Question 2 - 2022
Question 2
In an experiment to verify Boyle's law, a student measured the length of a column of air of fixed mass and uniform diameter, at different values of air pressure p. ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:In an experiment to verify Boyle's law, a student measured the length of a column of air of fixed mass and uniform diameter, at different values of air pressure p - Leaving Cert Physics - Question 2 - 2022
Step 1
Step 2
Draw a labelled diagram of how the apparatus was arranged in this experiment.
Answer
The diagram should include:
- A graduated cylinder to hold the air column.
- A pressure manometer to measure the pressure.
- A clamp or scale to measure the length of the air column. Label the components clearly, indicating where the length of air (l) and pressure (p) are measured.
Step 3
Why is it necessary for the column of air to have a uniform diameter?
Answer
It is necessary for the column of air to have a uniform diameter to ensure that the pressure is uniformly distributed along the length of the column. This prevents variations in pressure readings that could skew the results. A consistent diameter allows for accurate measurements of both length and pressure, ensuring that Boyle's law is verified accurately.
Step 4
Draw a suitable graph to verify Boyle's law.
Answer
To verify Boyle's law, plot a graph of pressure (p) against inverse length (1/l). This involves calculating the inverse of the recorded lengths using the data provided:
- For l = 15.0 cm, 1/l = 0.067 (1/cm)
- For l = 20.0 cm, 1/l = 0.050 (1/cm)
- For l = 25.0 cm, 1/l = 0.040 (1/cm)
- For l = 30.0 cm, 1/l = 0.033 (1/cm)
- For l = 35.0 cm, 1/l = 0.029 (1/cm)
- For l = 40.0 cm, 1/l = 0.025 (1/cm)
Next, plot these values on a graph with 1/l on the x-axis and p on the y-axis.
Step 5
Explain how your graph verifies Boyle's law.
Answer
The relationship between 1/l and p should yield a straight line, indicating that as the inverse length increases, the pressure also increases. This linearity confirms Boyle's law, demonstrating that pressure is directly proportional to the inverse of the volume (in this case, the length of the air column). The slope of the line reflects the constant relationship outlined by Boyle's law.
Step 6
Which of the data points is inconsistent with the others?
Answer
The data point corresponding to l = 20.0 cm with p = 227 kPa appears inconsistent when assessing the trend observed from the other data points. It is significantly different from the expected pressure values based on the linear relationship established by the graph.
Step 7
How did you treat this data point when you drew your graph?
Answer
When drawing the graph, the inconsistent data point was ignored or excluded from the plotted results. This ensures that the overall trend of the remaining data points accurately reflects Boyle's law and prevents the skewing of the graphical representation of the relationship.