HOME EXPERIMENT 1:

The Charles’ Balloon Experiment

Introduction
The most common statement of Charles’ Law is “The volume of a fixed quantity
of gas at constant pressure varies linearly with its absolute (Kelvin) temperature.”
Mathematically, Charles’ Law can be written as V=kT where V is the volume of gas at
constant pressure, T is the absolute (Kelvin) temperature of the gas and k is a constant of
proportionality. Charles’ Law is actually a special instance of the Ideal Gas Law which
can be written as PV=nRT in which n is the number of moles of gas, R is the gas constant
and P is the pressure of the gas.
We encounter his law many times in our daily life. Let’s start with a very simple
example; soda-can, when you open a chilled can you merely see bubbles but if you open
a little warmer can, bubbles spill out the drink. Why do you think this happens?
Definitely because of Charles’ law. In a warmer can volume of gases increases and as
you open the can gas molecules find their way out.
Sometimes we have to be alert from the effects of this law. Have you read the
cautions written in the deodorant bottle? They suggest storing it below 50°C and also
warn to keep it away from direct sun light and ignition. Because in higher temperature,
volume of gases increases and if it reaches to the limit it can burst the bottle.
In this experiment we investigate how closely an actual sample of gas (air)
follows Charles’ Law by measuring the volumes V1 and V2 of the sample At the two
Kelvin temperatures T1 and T2. If Charles’ Law is obeyed, we will find that:

is directly proportional to each other meaning if the volume increases then the
temperature also increases and if the volume decreases then the temperature also
decreases. Everyday experience suggests that most objects shrink when they cool down
and expand when they heat up. The samples of air whose volumes of balloons are
measured in this experiment fit this pattern of behavior.

Objective
At the end of the experiment the observers have expected the following outcomes:
 Explain the concepts of ideal gas law specifically by looking at V and T
relationship.
  Understand the concepts of ideal gas law and variable relationship.
 Perform hands-on experiment using home reagents

Materials:
The following are the expected materials needed to perform the experiment:
Materials Figure Description
Balloon Bag It can be either Rubber or
Plastic Balloon that can
withstand high pressure
and temperature. At least
three pieces is enough.

Ruler A ruler, sometimes called a

rule or line gauge, is a
device used in geometry.

Marker Something used for

marking.

Balloon pump (optional) Used to inflate balloons.

Dipper (or even any kind The tabò is the traditional

of container) hygiene tool primarily for
cleansing, bathing, and
cleaning the floor of the
bathroom in the Philippines
Methods

Inflate the 3 balloons

Record the initial

meassurement

Put a point in the middle

of each balloon

Using the point, measure

the radius and length

Prepare dipper

Cold Ambient Hot

Get 1/2 full ice block Add tap water Pour boiled water

Expose the balloons for

2-5 mins.

Record the final

measurement

Observe and compare

The schematic diagram shows the overall process of the Charles’ Balloon Experiment
Data
At this part of the report, will now observe and compare the result and data
gathered after the experiment.
Dipper 1: Cold
Initial Final

Radius (by inches) 2 1.5

Length (by inches) 3.7 3.5

Table 1. The comparison of the initial and final radius and length of the balloon after
putted in cold bath
Dipper 2: Ambient
Initial Final

Radius (by inches) 2 2

Length (by inches) 4.5 4.5

Table 2. The comparison of the initial and final radius and length of the balloon after
putted in tap water.
Dipper 3: Hot
Initial Final

Radius (by inches) 1.8 2

Length (by inches) 4 4.9

Table 3. The comparison of the initial and final radius and length of the balloon after
putted in hot water.

Result and Discussion

Dipper 1: There is a significant change between the initial and final radius and length of
the balloon. The final radius decreases by 0.5 inch and the final length decreases by 0.2
inch
Dipper 2: There is no significant change between the initial and final radius and length
of the balloon. Both measurements of radius and length remain the same.
Dipper 3: There is a significant change between the initial and final radius and length of
the balloon. The radius of the balloon increased 0.2 inch and its length also increased by
0.9 inch.
Based on the data gathered after the experiment, it was concluded that the
temperature and the volume of the balloon has a relationship to each other. As for dipper
1 which has cold bath, the balloon has deflated. The volume of the balloon decreases with
low temperature the reason behind this is the molecules would eventually condense into
the liquid state before reaching absolute zero making the volume decreases. On the other
hand, in the dipper with ambient temperature of water, the volume of the balloon do not
change, the measurement of the initial volume is the same to the measurement of final
volume because the temperature of the water is at room temperature so even you remove
the balloon on the dipper it still will not change. Lastly for the third deeper with hot
temperature, the balloon has inflated more comparing to its initial measurement. Its
volume increases because gases expand when they are heated and making the air inside
the balloon less dense thus it’s volume increases.

References:
Libretexts. (2020, July 17). 6.3: Relationships among pressure, temperature, volume, and
amount. Retrieved February 21, 2021, from
https://chem.libretexts.org/Courses/University_of_California_Davis/UCD_Chem_
002A/UCD_Chem_2A/Text/Unit_III
%3A_Physical_Properties_of_Gases/06.03_Relationships_among_Pressure
%2C_Temperature%2C_Volume%2C_and_Amount
Experiment 4, Charles’ Law. Retrieved February 21, 2021, from
http://people.bu.edu/birubio/ch131/exp04.pdf
Applications of Charles Law. (n.d.). Retrieved February 21, 2021, from
https://www.chemistrynotmystery.com/2014/10/applications-of-charles-law.html
Santos, M. J. (2021). Home Experiment 1: The Charles’ Balloon Experiment
Appendix A
 Balloon in Cold Water

The image above

shows the balloon is putted on a white container with ice inside creating a cold
environment for the balloon
 Appendix B
Balloon in Tap Water

The image shows the balloon is putted on a bowl containing tap water that has a room
temperature.
 Appendix C
Balloon in Hot Water

The image above shows a balloon is in the hot water.

 Appendix D
The 3 Balloons after the experiment

The picture shows the overall result of the experiment after 5 minutes of storing of the
balloon at different containers with different temperatures.