EXPERIMENT 8

DETERMINATION OF THE RATIO OF THE SPECIFIC HEATS OF

AIR

NAME: CARLOS BABU

DATE: 18/04/18

WEEK: 10

PARTNER: S11135637
PARTNER: S11135637
PARTNER: S11089743
Aim
The main aim behind conducting this experiment is to estimate γ, the ratio of the specific heats
of air and to get familiarized with adiabatic expansion and isothermal expansion process.

Apparatus
A special apparatus is required. A diagram of the experiment set-up appears below:
Method
The procedure of this experiment can be found on lab manual of experiment 8 on page 6&7.

Introduction / Theory

The specific heat ratio (adiabatic index) is the ratio of the heat capacity at constant pressure
(CP) to heat capacity at constant volume (CV). It is sometimes also known as the isentropic
expansion factor and is denoted by γ (gamma). This experiment is an important experiment in
general physics at Universities. Usually, the specific heart ratio of a gas is measured by using
an instrument of u-shape fill with mercury or water manometer for gas pressure and mercury
thermometer for temperature measurement.

The apparatus uses a diffused Silicon pressure sensor to measure gas pressure and is
intergraded temperature sensor to measured temperature, which leading to a higher sensitivity.
Experimental error is less than 3% as compared to the standard value.

One mole of an ideal gas, the relationship between the specific hearts in constant pressure 𝐶𝑝
and the specific heat in constant volume 𝐶𝑣 is
𝐶𝑝 – 𝐶𝑣 = 𝑅
𝐶𝑝
The specific heat (capacity) ratio γ of gas is 𝛾 = 𝐶𝑣

INSTRUCTIONS

The temperature obtain from the result is converted to Pascal by using the formula below.

𝑷𝟏 = 𝑷𝟏 ′/ 𝟐𝟎 + 𝑷𝟎 In 𝑘𝑃𝑎.

Also using the same formula to convert temperature of 𝑃2 ′.

𝑷𝟏 = 𝑷𝟐 ′/ 𝟐𝟎 + 𝑷𝟎 In 𝑘𝑃𝑎

Finally the formula required to determine the value of γ is

𝑷
𝑰𝒏 (𝑷𝟏 )
𝟎
𝜸 =
𝑷𝟏
𝑰𝒏 (𝑷 )
𝟐
 Results and Discussion

Table 1: Results

Trials 𝑷′𝟏 ± 𝟎. 𝟏 𝑷′𝟐 ± 𝟎. 𝟏 𝑻𝟏 ± 𝟎. 𝟏 𝑻𝟐 ± 𝟎. 𝟏

1 89.2 23.2 1503.3 1503.5

2 89.2 27.1 1504.2 1504.1
3 94.6 24.4 1504.5 1504.2
4 90.3 21.3 1504.8 1504.7
5 89.0 27.1 1505.3 1505.1
6 96.8 27.6 1505.8 1505.5

Table 2: Data Derived from the Experimental Result.

𝑷𝟎 𝑷′𝟏 (𝒎𝑽) 𝑻′𝟏 (𝒎𝑽) 𝑷′𝟐 (𝒎𝑽) 𝑻′′

𝟏 (𝒎𝑽) 𝑷𝟏 (𝒌 𝑷𝒂 ) 𝑷𝟐 (𝒌 𝑷𝒂 ) 𝜸
89.2 1503.3 23.2 1503.5 1.0487 1.0157 1.35
89.2 1504.2 27.1 1504.1 1.0487 1.0177 1.44
1.0041 94.6 1504.5 24.4 1504.2 1.0514 1.0163 1.35
90.3 1504.8 21.3 1504.7 1.0486 1.0148 1.32
89.0 1505.3 27.1 1505.1 1.0486 1.0177 1.44
96.8 1505.8 27.6 1505.5 1.0525 1.0179 1.00

The average value of γ is 1.32. The theoretical value is 1.402. Therefore the percentage error
is 5.8%.

1.34 + 1.44 + 1.35 + 1.32 + 1.44 + 1.00

𝑀𝑒𝑎𝑛 (𝜸) = ( ) = 𝟏. 𝟑𝟐
6

𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 − 𝐸𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙

𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = ( ) × 100
𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙
1.402 − 1.32
𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = ( ) × 100 = 𝟓. 𝟖%
1.402
 Analysis/Simple Calculations

Calculations of Data derived from the experimental Results.

Given: 𝑷𝟎 = 𝟏. 𝟎𝟎𝟒𝟏𝒌𝒑𝒂

Trial 1

𝑃1′ = 89.2 𝑃2′ = 23.2

1 𝑃′ 2 𝑃′
𝑃1 = 2000 + 1.0041 𝑃2 = 2000 + 1.0041

89.2 23.2
𝑃1 = + 1.0041 = 𝟏. 𝟎𝟒𝟖𝟕 𝑃2 = + 1.0041 = 𝟏. 𝟎𝟏𝟓𝟕
2000 2000

𝑃 1.0487
ln ( 𝑃1 ) ln (
𝜸= 0
= 1.0041 ) = 𝟏. 𝟑𝟓
𝑃1 1.0487
ln ( ) ln ( )
𝑃2 1.0157

Trial 2

𝑃1′ = 89.2 𝑃2′ = 27.1

𝑃′
1 2 𝑃′
𝑃1 = 2000 + 1.0041 𝑃2 = 2000 + 1.0041

89.2 27.1
𝑃1 = 2000 + 1.0041 = 𝟏. 𝟎𝟒𝟖𝟕 𝑃2 = 2000 + 1.0041 = 𝟏. 𝟎𝟏𝟕𝟕

𝑃 1.0487
ln ( 𝑃1 ) ln (
𝜸= 0
= 1.0041 ) = 𝟏. 𝟒𝟒
𝑃1 1.0487
ln ( 𝑃 ) ln (
2 1.0177 )

Trial 3

𝑃1′ = 94.6 𝑃2′ = 24.4

𝑃′
1 𝑃′
2
𝑃1 = 2000 + 1.0041 𝑃2 = 2000 + 1.0041

94.6 24.4
𝑃1 = 2000 + 1.0041 = 𝟏. 𝟎𝟓𝟏𝟒 𝑃2 = 2000 + 1.0041 = 𝟏. 𝟎𝟏𝟔𝟑

𝑃 1.0514
ln ( 𝑃1 ) ln (
𝜸= 0
= 1.0041 ) = 𝟏. 𝟑𝟓
𝑃1 1.0514
ln ( 𝑃 ) ln (
2 1.0163 )
 Trial 4

𝑃1′ = 89.0 𝑃2′ = 21.3

𝑃′
1 2 𝑃′
𝑃1 = 2000 + 1.0041 𝑃2 = 2000 + 1.0041

89.0 21.3
𝑃1 = 2000 + 1.0041 = 𝟏. 𝟎𝟒𝟖𝟔 𝑃2 = 2000 + 1.0041 = 𝟏. 𝟎𝟏𝟒𝟖

𝑃 1.0486
ln ( 𝑃1 ) ln (
𝜸= 0
= 1.0041 ) = 𝟏. 𝟑𝟐
𝑃1 1.0486
ln ( 𝑃 ) ln (
2 1.0148 )

Trial 5

𝑃1′ = 89.0 𝑃2′ = 27.1

1 𝑃′ 𝑃′
2
𝑃1 = 2000 + 1.0041 𝑃2 = 2000 + 1.0041

89.0 27.1
𝑃1 = 2000 + 1.0041 = 𝟏. 𝟎𝟒𝟖𝟔 𝑃2 = 2000 + 1.0041 = 𝟏. 𝟎𝟏𝟕𝟕

𝑃 1.0486
ln ( 𝑃1 ) ln (
𝜸= 0
= 1.0041 ) = 𝟏. 𝟒𝟒
𝑃1 1.0486
ln ( 𝑃 ) ln (
2 1.0177 )

Trial 6

𝑃1′ = 96.8 𝑃2′ = 27.6

𝑃′
1 2 𝑃′
𝑃1 = 2000 + 1.0041 𝑃2 = 2000 + 1.0041

96.8 27.6
𝑃1 = 2000 + 1.0041 = 𝟏. 𝟎𝟓𝟐𝟓 𝑃2 = 2000 + 1.0041 = 𝟏. 𝟎𝟏𝟕𝟗

𝑃 1.0525
ln ( 𝑃1 ) ln (
𝜸= 0
= 1.0041 ) = 𝟏. 𝟎𝟎
𝑃1 1.0525
ln ( 𝑃 ) ln (
2 1.0179 )
 Discussion
The specific heat capacity of gas (γ) is very important quantity in physics which usually appears
in thermodynamics. But the question is, how can this be determine? Well specific heat capacity
of air can be determine using four equipment’s that specified above under apparatus section.
However, the main concept of this experiment is based on how to determine the value of (γ).
𝑃1
ln( )
𝑃0
The value of (γ) is determined by using the equation𝜸 = 𝑃1 , for each trial. Therefore from
ln( )
𝑃2
all the calculations have done from above, (γ) is 1.32, which is slightly difference from the
theoretical value (1.402). Therefore the percentage error that calculated above is 5.8%. From
the research experiments have provided the prof that this apparatus is most accurate compared
to other apparatus that can used for the same experiment. However one of the aspect that
caused the variation from value of γ for experiment and theoretical is due to the compressing
or pumping of air pressure into the cylinder which is more than 100 Pascal at the digital
voltmeter. Therefore the in order to obtain most accurate results, the pressure must be timing
in order to reach the maximum limits (100Pa).
 CONCLUSION

The experiment was successfully carried out and managed to determine the value of γ. The
specific heat ratio of air was successfully calculated due to the theory and the determine
formula derived from the theory. In this practical the value of γ is 1.32. By comparison with
the theoretical (1.402). However by completing the experiment, the two basic idea of
expansion, Isothermal and adiabatic expansion is more clearly. Suppose the temperature is held
constant and if gas is allowed to expand quasi-statically under these so called isothermal.
Suppose the gas is thermally isolated from the surrounding and allow to expand quasi-statically
is so called adiabatic.
 REFERENCE

Dr. Ajal Kumar, 2012 Ph102 Classical Physics Lab Manual University of the South Pacific,
Suva, Fiji.

‘Fundamentals of Physics’, Halliday and Resnick.

‘Properties of Matter’, Flowers and Mendoza’