Results

Figure 1 depicts the relationship between the pressure within the syringe and the
volume of the syringe. Four trials were conducted and the average pressure was
found, show in Figure 1. The data shows a negative correlation which suggests the
variables are inversely related. This inverse relationship is shown below as the
highest volume of 20 mL having lowest average pressure of 100.4175 kPa and the
lowest volume of 12 mL having the highest average pressure of 162.795 kPa (Figure
1). Figure 2 demonstrates the relationship between temperature and volume as
positively correlated. The highest temperature recorded was 70 C which had the
highest volume of 156.07 mL, and the lowest temperature was 10 C which had the
lowest volume of 6.44 mL (Figure 2).

Volume and Average Pressure

160

150

140

Pressure (kPa) 130

120

110

100
12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Volume (mL)

Figure 1. Average pressure in kilopascals taken from four trials within a syringe is
shown to decrease as volume in milliliters within the syringe is increased.

Temperature and Volume

80
70
60
50

Temperature (C) 40
30
20
10
0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180

Volume (mL)
 Figure 2. Volume in milliliters of a balloon measured at various temperatures
shown to increase as temperature in Celsius increased.

Discussion
The results obtained indicate that pressure and volume are related as well as
temperature and volume. These relationships are known as gas laws. We
hypothesize that both relationships will hold true in their respective scenarios, in
accordance to the gas laws. Figure 1 demonstrates Boyles Law which defines the
relationship between pressure and volume at constant temperature. Whereas,
Figure 2 demonstrates Charles Law which defines the relationship between
temperature and volume at constant pressure.
Boyles Law is inversely proportionally meaning that as volume increases within a
system the pressure will decrease and vice versa, given that temperature is
constant. In Figure 1, as the volume of the syringe was decreased the pressure
increased. This was because as volume decreased, the gas molecules had less
space which increased the frequency of impacting the sides of the syringe more
often per unit time1. This results in pressure being increased because there are
more molecule impacts per unit time1.
Charles Law is directly proportional meaning that as temperature increases within a
system the volume will also increase, given that pressure is constant. In Figure 2, as
the temperature of the air within the balloon and flask system increased, the
volume of the balloon was observed to increase. This can be explained by the
concept of kinetic energy in regards to the gas molecules within the system. As
temperature increases, gas molecules move faster causing them to strike the walls
of the flask with a higher frequency1. This causes the pressure inside the flask to
momentarily increase for a split second or an incredibly small fraction of a second 1.
The greater pressure on the inside of the balloon will push it outward, thus
increasing the volume1. This will also drop the pressure back to the constant.
Overall, our hypothesis that both systems would behave accordingly to the gas laws
was supported. Moving forward, we would like to test the relationship between
pressure and temperature at a constant volume. This is also known as Gay-Lussac's
Law2. Based on the combined gas law as well as the findings from this lab, we
hypothesize pressure and temperature are directly proportional.
Boyle's Law and Charles Law can simply be observed everywhere, they are integral
to understanding how the world around us functions. Boyles Law can be observed
right within our very own bodies because it can explain the mechanics of breathing.
As lung volume may be increases, air pressure within them decreases and vice
versa. The pressure difference between the air inside the lungs air pressure outside,
results inhaling or exhaling as air moves from high to low pressure. Charles Law can
be found right in your car owner's manual. It will suggest that tire pressure should
always be measured in cold temperatures. As you drive around during the day, the
tires get hot from all of the increasing the volume of the air within the tires.
Measuring tire pressure when the tire is warm will give you an incorrect reading that
the tires haves been filled with too much air.
References
1. Levine, S. "Derivation of the Ideal Gas Law." Journal of Chemical
Education.1985, Vol. 62, Iss. 5, pgs. 399.
2. Laugier, Alexander; Garai, Jozef. "Derivation of the Ideal Gas Law." Journal of
Chemical Education. 2007, Vol. 84, Iss. 11, pgs. 1832 -1833.