Problem statement: design an experiment to investigate how the volume of a given amount

of water changes with temperature.

Hypothesis: as the temperature of the water increases, the volume occupied by the water
increases as well.

Aim: to determine how a change in temperature affects the volume of a given amount of water.

Apparatus:

Travelling microscope Two retort stands

Thermometer Stopwatch

Water bath Distilled water

Capillary tube Ruler

Rubber stopper Round bottom flask

Diagram:

Diagram 1: diagram showing how the apparatus is to be set up:

Variables:

Controlled Variable: the amount of water in the round bottom flask.

Manipulating Variable: the temperature of the water in the capillary tube

Responding Variable: the volume occupied by the water in the capillary tube

Method:

1. Using the travelling microscope, measure the diameter of the capillary tube, d.
2. Use the diameter of the tube to determine the radius (diameter divided by 2) and then
use the formula A = r2 to calculate the cross-sectional area of the tube.
3. Fit the capillary tube into the hole in the rubber stopper so that the tube just reaches the
bottom of the stopper.
4. Fill the flask to the top with water and insert the stopper. Water will flow into the tube.
5. Using the ruler, measure the initial height of the water, hi, in the capillary tube, with
the rubber stopper as the reference point.
6. Use the formula v = A×h to calculate the initial volume of water in the tube.
7. Set up the apparatus as show in diagram 1 above.
8. Record the initial temperature of the water in the water bath, ti.
9. Switch on the water bathe and simultaneously start the stopwatch.
10. Record the temperature, t1, and height of the water in the capillary tube, h1 after the first
30 seconds.
11. Calculate the volume of water in the capillary tube using the formula for volume
mentioned above.
12. Repeat steps 10-11 for every 30 seconds until the temperature is just under 100oC.
13. Tabulate the results obtained.

Expected Results:

It is expected that as the temperature of the water increases, the height of the water in the
capillary tube should increase which means that the volume of water in the tube will increase.
If this occurs, it will prove the hypothesis is accurate.
Table 1: table showing the results obtained:

Time/s Temperature of Height of water in Volume of water in

water in tube / oC tube /cm tube / cm3

Sample calculations:

Radius of tube = diameter/2

Cross sectional area of tube (A) = r2

Volume of water in tube (v) = A × height of water in tube (h)

Data Analysis:

1. Plot a graph of volume versus temperature.

2. Comment on the shape of the graph and the relationship between the volume and
temperature of the water.

Discussion:

From this experiment, it is expected that as the temperature of the water in the capillary tube is
increased, the volume occupied by the water in said capillary tube should increase as well,
hence both properties should be directly proportional. This is because, an increase in
temperature will cause the water molecules to have more kinetic energy which in turn will
cause said molecules to move faster and further apart from each other. Hence, the water is
expected to expand in volume with an increase in temperature. As the length of time the water
bath is switched on for increases, the temperature of the system increases as well, hence it is
expected that the temperature at the end of the experiment should be higher than the
temperature at the beginning. This is how the temperature of the water is to be manipulated. A
water bath is to be used as the heat source in this experiment as it provides a safe way to increase
the temperature of the water under laboratory conditions. A capillary tube is being used to
contain the water as it is suitable to observe small changes in volume. The changes in volume
is observed as changes in the height of the water in the capillary tube. The formula volume =
height of fluid in tube × cross sectional area of tube is to be used to calculate the volume. A
travelling microscope is to be used to measure the diameter of the tube as it can precisely
measure dimensions to 0.1mm. Readings for temperature are to be taken until the temperature
of the water is just below 100oC to ensure that the water does not start to boil during the
experiment and hence evaporate as water vapour.

For this experiment, it is assumed that the temperature of the water in the water bath is the same
as the temperature of the water in the capillary tube. Precaution must be taken to ensure that
the bulb of the thermometer is completely immersed in the water of the water bath and that the
thermometer does not come in contact with the sides of the container. Precaution must also be
taken to ensure that the readings of the height of the water in the tube are taken at eye level to
reduce parallax error.

With the current rising sea levels caused by climate change, it is becoming extremely important
for scientists around the world to have a clear understanding of how temperature affects the
volume of water. Global warming traps more heat in the earth’s atmosphere, which causes an
overall increase in the earth’s temperature, hence the effect of an increase in temperature on
the volume of water is especially important. Knowing the relationship between temperature
and volume of water enables these scientists to make proper estimations of how much the sea
levels will rise in a specific time period. Furthermore, this will enable governments to make
preparations for these increasing sea levels.

Conclusion:

Within the limits of this experiment, the relationship between temperature and volume of water
is ____________.