It is seriously

freezing out here.

Please. It's not
even close to
absolute zero yet!

Absolute Zero (Gay-Lussacs Law)

012-10730 r1.04

Absolute Zero (Gay-Lussacs Law)

ntroduction

ournals and Snapshots

The Snapshot button is used to

capture the screen.
The Journal is where snapshots are
stored and viewed.
The Share button is used to
export or print your journal to
turn in your work.

Each page of this lab

that contains the
symbol

should be inserted
into your journal.
After completing a
lab page with the
snapshot symbol, tap
(in the upper
right hand corner) to
insert the page into
your
journal.
Note:
You
may want to take a
snapshot of the first page of
this lab as a cover page for
your Journal.

Absolute Zero (Gay-Lussacs Law)

Lab Challenge
Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy (motion) of
molecules. As the temperature of something drops, the motion
slows down. Things cant move slower than stopped. Does this
mean there is a lowest possibleCold
temperature
and if so, what is this
air
temperature?
What
molecules
Hot air
molecules
move fast!

move slowly.

happens
when air
molecules are
very, very,
very, very,
very, very,
very cold???

Absolute Zero (Gay-Lussacs Law)

Background
Gas molecules move through space, bumping into things.
This causes air pressure. The more collisions there are
each second, the more pressure there is.
Temperature is the average kinetic energy (speed) of the
particles
in a sample.

Absolute Zero (Gay-Lussacs Law)

Self-Check
1. Pressure is caused by the collision
of gas molecules with
______________.
a) higher volume
b) liquid molecules
c) the walls of the container
d) motion
e) excessive homework

Absolute Zero (Gay-Lussacs Law)

..Background
Kinetic energy is related to the speed of the
molecules, so if the temperature increases, the
molecules move faster.
An increase in speed will cause
the walls of the container more
the pressure increases.

more
gas molecules to strike
high collisions
er pr
essu =
times per second, so
re

The direct relationship between pressure P and

temperature T was discovered by Joseph Gay-Lussac in
1802. Gay-Lussac's law is expressed
mathematically
1
2
(constant) OR
as:

P
k
T

P
P

T1 T2

Absolute Zero (Gay-Lussacs Law)

Self-Check
2. If you decrease the temperature of a
gas inside a container, what happens to
the gas particles?
a) They exert higher pressure.
b) They increase in kinetic energy.
c) They decrease in speed.
d) They increase in speed.

Absolute Zero (Gay-Lussacs Law)

..Background
If it were possible to continue to remove kinetic energy by
cooling, there should come a point where the gas particles
would be so cold they would have no kinetic energy at all!
If particles have zero kinetic energy, they are no longer
moving and, therefore, are not able to collide with the walls of
the container to create pressure.
This theoretical point at which kinetic energy has been
completely removed from a system (particles stop moving and
the pressure equals zero) is known as absolute zero.

Absolute Zero (Gay-Lussacs Law)

...Background

Because
temperature is a
measurement of
molecular motion
(kinetic energy), the
Kelvin temperature
scale sets the point
of no kinetic energy
as its starting point,
0 K.
This means that the
Kelvin scale has no
negative values.

Boiling point of
water
Weather: highest
temp. recorded in the
world
Freezing point of
water
Weather: lowest temp.
recorded in the world
Moon at its coldest
Absolute zero

Absolute Zero (Gay-Lussacs Law)

Self-Check
3. The Kelvin temperature scale is based on
___________________.
a) molecular motion
b) the freezing point of water
c) the boiling point of water
d) the coldest temperature ever recorded

Absolute Zero (Gay-Lussacs Law)

...Backgroun
d

Absolute zero can be calculated experimentally using GayLussac's law to find the relationship between pressure and
temperature. The relationship can then be used to calculate
temperature (absolute zero) when the pressure equals zero.
Gay-Lussac's law can be rearranged to give the familiar
equation of a straight line:

P
k
T

P kT
y mx

There is one small catch, Gay-Lussacs law requires that the

temperature measurements be in Kelvin.

Absolute Zero (Gay-Lussacs Law)

Self-Check
4. When using Gay-Lussac's law, the value
for temperature must always be
measured in ______.
a) F
b) kPa
c) C
d) K

P
k
T

Absolute Zero (Gay-Lussacs Law)

Safety
Follow all common laboratory procedures.
Be careful with hot water! Water at 65C (149F) has
enough kinetic energy to damage skin and eyes.

HOT!
!

Absolute Zero (Gay-Lussacs Law)

Materials and
Equipment
t all of these materials before beginning the lab.
Sensor extension cable
Absolute pressure sensor
Quick-release connector
Tubing connector
Fast response temperature sensor
Tubing, 1- to 2-cm
Test tube, 15-mm x 100-mm
One-hole stopper for test tube
Beakers (2), 250-mL

Absolute Zero (Gay-Lussacs Law)

Materials and
Equipment
ollect these additional materials before starting.
Polystyrene cups (2)
Rubber band
Ring stand
Three-finger clamp
Crushed ice (300 mL)
Room temperature water, 300 mL
~45C water, 300 mL
~55C water, 300 mL
~65C water, 300 mL
Glycerin, 2 drops

Glyceri
n

Absolute Zero (Gay-Lussacs Law)

equencing Challenge
A. Place the
closed test tube
in a polystyrene
cup containing
ice-water and
record the
pressure and
temperature.
C. Graph the data
and use the
equation of the
line of best fit to
determine
absolute zero.

B. Set up the
equipment to
measure
pressure and
temperature of
air trapped in a
test tube.
D. Replace the
ice-water with
water at 25 C,
45 C,
55 C, and 65 C.
Record the
pressure and
temperature for

The steps to the left

are part of the
procedure for this lab
activity. They are not in
the right order.
Determine the correct
sequence of the steps,
then take a snapshot of
this page.

Absolute Zero (Gay-Lussacs Law)

Predictio
nQ1: What will happen
to the pressure in
the test tube as
temperature
increases? Draw
your prediction on
graph
*Tothe
Draw
a Prediction:
provided.*
1. Tap
to open the
tool palette.
2. Tap
then use your
finger to draw your
prediction.
3. Tap
when
finished.
4. If you make a

Absolute Zero (Gay-Lussacs Law)

Setup
1. Connect the fast response temperature sensor to the data
collection system.
2. Connect the absolute pressure sensor to the data collection
system using a sensor extension cable.
Pressure sensor

Extension cable

Absolute Zero (Gay-Lussacs Law)

Setup

3. Connect the quick-release connector to

the stopper using the tubing connector
and the
1- to 2-cm piece of tubing. Put a drop of
glycerin on the connectors as necessary.
Tubing connector

Stopper

Quick-release
connector

Tubing

Q2: Temperature and

pressure are being
measured for what
substance during
this experiment?

Absolute Zero (Gay-Lussacs Law)

Setup
4. Use a rubber band to attach the
quick-response temperature
sensor to the outside of the test
tube. The sensor should be about
downband
the test
5. halfway
Use a rubber
to tube.
attach the quickresponse temperature
sensor to the outside of
the test tube. The
sensor should be about
halfway down the test
Rubber band
tube.
Temperature sensor

Q3:The temperature
sensor is placed
on the outside of
the test tube. Is
this a problem?
Explain.

Absolute Zero (Gay-Lussacs Law)

Setup
6. Attach a three-finger clamp
to a ring stand. Use the
three-finger clamp to
securely hold the absolute
pressure sensor in a vertical
position.
7. Place the polystyrene cup
into a 250-mL beaker. Fill the
polystyrene cup to the top
with ice. Add water to make
an ice bath.

Q4: Why is a
polystyrene
cup used instead of
just a beaker?

Absolute Zero (Gay-Lussacs Law)

Setup

What is the dependent variable (with units) in this experiment?

What is the independent variable (with units) in this experiment?

Absolute Zero (Gay-Lussacs Law)

Setup

8. Place the beaker containing

the polystyrene cup and
ice-water underneath the
absolute pressure/test tube
apparatus and slowly lower
the test tube into the icewater.
9. Angle the test tube in the
cup so the entire test tube
is covered with the icewater. Place more ice on
top of the test tube to
ensure that the entire test
tube is covered with ice.

Q6: Why is it
necessary for the
entire test tube to
be covered with
the ice-water?

Absolute Zero (Gay-Lussacs Law)

Procedure
1. Tap
to start a
new data set.
2. Wait ~2 minutes to
allow the
temperature of the
air in the test tube
to become the same
temperature as the
ice water
surrounding it.
3. Tap
to record the
temperature (in C
and K) and pressure.
4. Remove the test

Absolute Zero (Gay-Lussacs Law)

Procedure
5. Place the second
polystyrene cup into
the second 250-mL
beaker.
6. Fill the polystyrene
cup with water at
room temperature
(~25C).
7. Angle the test tube
in the cup so it is
covered with water.
8. Wait ~ 2 minutes.
9. Tap
to record the
temperature and

Absolute Zero (Gay-Lussacs Law)

Procedure
10. Collect three more
data points by
replacing the room
temperature water
with water at:
~ 45 C
~ 55 C
~ 65 C
11. For each sample wait
~ 2 minutes and then
tap
to record the
temperature and
pressure.
12. When all five data

Absolute Zero (Gay-Lussacs Law)

Data Analysis
1. Using the data
collected, derive the
mathematical
equation used to
convert between the
Celsius and Kelvin
temperature scales.

Absolute Zero (Gay-Lussacs Law)

Data Analysis

2. Create a best fit line

(linear fit) of data
using the C values for
T.*
Note: the equation of
the best fit line gives:
P = kT
(y = mx )
*To Apply a Curve Fit:
1. Tap
to open the
tool palette.
2. Tap
to open the
Curve Fit screen.
3. Tap the name of the
curve fit required.

Absolute Zero (Gay-Lussacs Law)

Data Analysis
3. Use the equation of the best fit line to solve for absolute zero in
units of C. Show your work.

: Absolute zero is the temperature when pressure equals zero.

Absolute Zero (Gay-Lussacs Law)

Data Analysis
4. Calculate the percent error of your experimental value of
absolute zero (the accepted value of absolute zero is
-273.15C). Show (accepted
your work.value percent error
experimental value)
x 100
=
accepted value

Absolute Zero (Gay-Lussacs Law)

Data Analysis

5. Determine the
constant k for the
five data points
collected using
Kelvin temperatures.
P
Enter the
constants
k
into theT table.*
*To Enter Data into a
Table:
1.Tap
to open the
tool palette.
2.Tap
then tap a
cell in the data table
to highlight it in
yellow.
3.Tap
to open the

Absolute Zero (Gay-Lussacs Law)

Data Analysis

6. Determine the
constant k for the
five data points
collected using C
temperatures. Enter
P
the constants
k into
T
the table.*
*To Enter Data into a
Table:
1.Tap
to open the
tool palette.
2.Tap
then tap a
cell in the data table
to highlight it in
yellow.
3.Tap
to open the

Absolute Zero (Gay-Lussacs Law)

Analysis
1. Was pressure
divided by
2. Was pressure
3. Are pressure and
temperature a
divided by
temperature directly
constant when
temperature a
or indirectly
using temperature
constant when using
proportional? How
values measured in
temperature values
do you know?
C? Why or why
measured in K?
not?
Why or why not?

Absolute Zero (Gay-Lussacs Law)

Analysis
4a. What is the Kelvin temperature
scale
based on?
4b. What is special about 0 K?

Absolute Zero (Gay-Lussacs Law)

Analysis
5. Calculate the pressure of the air inside the test tube if it were
warmed to
100.0 C. Show your work (there are several steps)!

Absolute Zero (Gay-Lussacs Law)

Synthesis
1. Another lab group did the same
experiment using a syringe
instead of a test tube. Could this
cause a problem? Explain.

Absolute Zero (Gay-Lussacs Law)

Synthesis
2. Explain why an over-inflated tire may pop
when it is driven fast on a hot day.

Absolute Zero (Gay-Lussacs Law)

Multiple Choice
1. Which of the following graphs best
represents the relationship between the
pressure of a gas and Kelvin
temperature?
A)

B)

C)

D)

Absolute Zero (Gay-Lussacs Law)

Multiple
Choice
2. Why does pressure become zero at a
temperature of absolute zero?
a) At absolute zero all molecular
motion stops.
b) At absolute zero there is a complete
vacuum.
c) At absolute zero the gas volume is
very small.
d) At absolute zero all the energy of
the gas is
given off as light.

Absolute Zero (Gay-Lussacs Law)

Multiple Choice

What is the equivalent of 413 K in Celsius?

a)

-273C

b)

0C

c)

140C

d)

696C

e)

237 K

Absolute Zero (Gay-Lussacs Law)

Multiple Choice
4. If a container of gas is at a temperature
of 27 C and a pressure of 800 torr,
what would the pressure of the gas
become if the temperature were
doubled to 54C?
a) 1600 torr
b) 400 torr
c) 872 torr
d) 734 torr

Absolute Zero (Gay-Lussacs Law)

Multiple Choice

5. If the temperature of a gas in a closed,

rigid container decreases, the pressure
inside this container will
_________________.
a) increase
b) decrease
c) stay the same
d) Either A or B depending on the type of
gas.

Absolute Zero (Gay-Lussacs Law)

ongratulations!

u have completed the lab.

Please remember to follow your teacher's instructions for cleaningup and submitting your lab.

Absolute Zero (Gay-Lussacs Law)

References

All images were taken from PASCO documentation, public domain clip art, or Wikimedia
Foundation Commons.

1.PENGUINS http://www.openstockphotography.org/imagelicensing/penguins/Adelie_penguins_at_Cape_Geddes_Laurie_Island_1962.jpg
2.THERMOMETER http://www.freeclipartnow.com/science/thermometer-big.jpg.html
3.FLAMES http://www.freeclipartnow.com/science/energy/Flames-1.jpg.html
4.ICICLE http://www.freeclipartnow.com/nature/weather/icicles.jpg.html
5.SNOW FLAKE http://www.freeclipartnow.com/nature/weather/snow/snow-flakeshadowed.jpg.html
6.STOP SIGN http://www.freeclipartnow.com/small-icons/miscellaneous/stop-sign.jpg.html
7.WEATHER http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mistral_wind1.jpg
8.BALLOONS http://www.freeclipartnow.com/recreation/partying/balloons-01.jpg.html
9.HOT WARNING http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:DIN_48442_Warnung_vor_heisser_Oberflaeche_D-W026.svg
10.EYE WASH http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sign_eyewash.svg
11.BEAKER http://www.freeclipartnow.com/science/flasks-tubes/beaker-2.jpg.html
12.CRUSHED ICE http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hail_001.JPG
13.GLASS OF WATER http://www.freeclipartnow.com/food/beverages/glass-of-water.jpg.html
14.CALCULATOR http://www.freeclipartnow.com/education/supplies/simple-calculator-