DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL AND INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING AND BUILDENVIRONMENT

Lab 1: Boyle’s Law For Perfect Gases

SURNAME : Chiloane
INITIALS :L
STUDENT NO : 222119744
COURSE : BEng Tech in Mechanical Engineering
MODULE : Thermodynamic 2A
DATE : 20 March 2023

Declaration
I declare that this assignment is my own, original work. All secondary material that I used, whether
from print or electronic sources, has been carefully acknowledged and referenced according to the
Mechanical Department requirements. I have not submitted this work for credit previously. I
understand that plagiarism is unacceptable, and I have studied the department’s plagiarism and
referencing policies as set out in the Learner guide.
Student’s signature: _RAMS______________________

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Contents
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 3
Theory or Background ............................................................................................................................ 3
Observations and Calculations ................................................................................................................ 5
Observations ....................................................................................................................................... 5
Calculations......................................................................................................................................... 6
Discussion and Results ........................................................................................................................... 8
Conclusion and recommendations ........................................................................................................ 12
References ............................................................................................................................................ 12
Appendices............................................................................................................................................ 13
Procedure Used ............................................................................................................................... 18
General Procedure 1: Increasing Pressure. .............................................................................. 18
General Procedure 2: Decreasing Pressure. ............................................................................. 18
Abstract ................................................................................................................................................. 19

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Introduction
Boyle’s law for perfect gases is concept based on Boyle’s law which state that the volume
of a given mass of a gas is inversely proportional to its pressure provided that the
temperature is kept constant. The importance of Boyle’s law is that it tells us the behaviour
of gas, it also proves beyond the limits of doubt that pressure and volume are inversely
proportional [1]. For instance, when you apply pressure, the volume shrinks, and the
pressure rises.[1]
Boyle’s law can be expressed by the use of a formula which was proposed by physicist
Robert Boyle in 1662[1]. The formula is as follows pv=k, where p is the pressure, v is the
volume and k is a constant. The formula explains that at constant temperature the pressure
of a given quantity of a gas varies inversely with its volume [1]. It is said that Boyle’s law
does not apply at high pressure but only at low pressure because the gas behaves ideally
[1]. So, in our experiment we are trying to compare actual test results with the theory based
on Boyle’s law for perfect gases.

Theory or Background
The theory or background of this experiment is based on Boyle’s law. Boyle’s law is a gas
law which states that the pressure exerted by a gas (of a given mass, kept at a constant
temperature) is inversely proportional to the volume occupied by it [1]. In other words, the
pressure and volume of a gas are inversely proportional to each other as long as the
temperature and the quantity of gas are kept constant [1]. Boyle’s law was put forward by
the Anglo-Irish chemist Robert Boyle in the year 1662[1].
For a gas, the relationship between volume and pressure (at constant mass and temperature)
can be expressed mathematically as follows [1].
P ∝ (1/V)
Where P is the pressure exerted by the gas and V is the volume occupied by it. This
proportionality can be converted into an equation by adding a constant, k [1].
P = k*(1/V) ⇒ PV = k
"The pressure v/s volume curve for a fixed amount of gas kept at constant temperature is
illustrated below [1].

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 It can be observed that a straight line is obtained when the pressure exerted by the gas (P)
is taken on the Y-axis and the inverse of the volume occupied by the gas (1/V) is taken on
the X-axis.[1]

Formula and Derivation

As per Boyle’s law, any change in the volume occupied by a gas (at constant quantity and
temperature) will result in a change in the pressure exerted by it. In other words, the product
of the initial pressure and the initial volume of a gas is equal to the product of its final
pressure and final volume (at constant temperature and number of moles) [1]. This law can
be expressed mathematically as follows:
P1V1 = P2V2
Where,
• P1 is the initial pressure exerted by the gas.
• V1 is the initial volume occupied by the gas.
• P2 is the final pressure exerted by the gas.
• V2 is the final volume occupied by the gas.
"This expression can be obtained from the pressure-volume relationship suggested by
Boyle’s law [1]. For a fixed amount of gas kept at a constant temperature, PV = k.
Therefore,
P1V1 = k (initial pressure * initial volume)
P2V2 = k (final pressure * final volume)
∴ P1V1 = P2V2
This equation can be used to predict the increase in the pressure exerted by a gas on the
walls of its container when the volume of its container is decreased (and its quantity and
absolute temperature remain unchanged) [1].

Assumptions made:
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 - We assume a closed system [2].
- The gas behaves in an ideal manner [2].
- The quantity or molecules of the gas remain constant [2].
- The temperature remains constant throughout the experiment [2]

Observations and Calculations

Observations
Table 1: Observations for increasing pressure.
Diameter of Test Cylinder: 100mm
Test Cylinder Cross sectional area: 7854mm2
Ambient temperature: 22.6℃
Local air pressure (bar): 740mmHg

Gauge Pressure, p0 (bar) Digital Indicator Reading (mm)

0 110.64
0.4 72.75
0.6 62.24
0.8 53.23
1 46.33
1.2 40.83
1.4 36.75
1.6 33.17
1.8 31.58
2.0 28.26

Table 2: Observations for decreasing pressure.

Diameter of Test Cylinder: 100mm
Test Cylinder Cross sectional area: 7854mm2
Ambient temperature: 22.6℃
Local air pressure (bar): 740mmHg

Gauge Pressure, p0 (bar) Digital Indicator Reading (mm)

-0.05 119.02
-0.10 128.14
-0.15 136.30
-0.20 148.41
-0.25 161.65

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Table 3: Results Template.
Diameter of Test Cylinder: 100mm
Test Cylinder Cross sectional area: 7854mm2
Ambient temperature: 22.6℃
Local air pressure (bar): 740mmHg

Gauge Absolute Digital Volume, V (l) Inverse Constant, k

Pressure, p0 pressure, p Indicator volume, 1/V (p x V)
(bar) (bar) Reading
(mm)

-0.05 0.94 119.02 0.935 1.06 0.8789

-0.10 0.89 128.14 1.01 0.99 0.899

-0.15 0.84 136.30 1.07 0.93 0.898

-0.20 0.79 148.41 1.17 0.85 0.92

-0.25 0.74 161.65 1.27 0.78 0.94

0 0.99 110.64 0.87 1.15 0.86

0.4 1.39 72.75 0.57 1.75 0.79

0.6 1.59 62.24 0.49 2.04 0.78

0.8 1.79 53.23 0.42 2.38 0.75

1 1.99 46.33 0.36 2.78 0.72

1.2 2.19 40.83 0.32 3.13 0.70

1.4 2.39 37.75 0.30 3.33 0.72

1.6 2.59 33.17 0.26 3.85 0.67

1.8 2.79 31.58 0.25 4.0 0.698

2 2.99 28.26 0.22 4.55 0.658

Calculations
1. Absolute pressure calculation
- 𝑃𝑎𝑏𝑠 = 𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑚 + 𝑃𝑔
Example:
At Pg = -0.05bar
Patm= 740mmHg = 0.987bar

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 ∴𝑃𝑎𝑏𝑠 = 0.987 + (−0.05) = 0.937 ≈ 0.94𝑏𝑎𝑟
2. Volume Calculation
- 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 = 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 × 𝐻𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡

Example:
𝐴 = 𝜋𝑟 2
𝑑𝑇𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝐶𝑦𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟
Where, r = , dTest Cylinder=100mm
2
100
∴𝑟 = = 50𝑚𝑚
2
∴𝐴 = 𝜋(50)2 = 7853.98𝑚𝑚2
At h= 119.02mm
∴𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 = (7853.98)(119.02) = 0.935𝑙

3. P×V=K Calculation
- 𝑃 × 𝑉=K, where P is Pabs, V is Volume and K is constant according to
Boyle’s law.

Example:
At, Pabs= 0.94bar, V=0.94
∴0.94 × 0.935 = 0.8789
∴K =0.8789

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Discussion and Results

Table 3: Results Template.

Diameter of Test Cylinder: 100mm
Test Cylinder Cross sectional area: 7854mm2
Ambient temperature: 22.6℃
Local air pressure (bar): 740mmHg

Gauge Absolute Digital Volume, V (l) Inverse Constant, k

Pressure, p0 pressure, p Indicator volume, 1/V (p x V)
(bar) (bar) Reading
(mm)

-0.05 0.94 119.02 0.93 1.06 0.87

-0.10 0.89 128.14 1.01 0.99 0.899

-0.15 0.84 136.30 1.07 0.93 0.898

-0.20 0.79 148.41 1.17 0.85 1.00

-0.25 0.74 161.65 1.27 0.78 0.94

0 0.99 110.64 0.87 1.15 0.86

0.4 1.39 72.75 0.57 1.75 0.79

0.6 1.59 62.24 0.49 2.04 0.79

0.8 1.79 53.23 0.42 2.38 0.75

1 1.99 46.33 0.36 2.78 0.72

1.2 2.19 40.83 0.32 3.13 0.70

1.4 2.39 37.75 0.30 3.33 0.72

1.6 2.59 33.17 0.26 3.85 0.67

1.8 2.79 31.58 0.25 4.0 0.698

2 2.99 28.26 0.22 4.55 0.658

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 Increasing pressure

Pressure Vs Volume
1

0,9

0,8

0,7

0,6

0,5

0,4

0,3

0,2

0,1

0
0 0,5 1 1,5 2 2,5 3 3,5

Pressure Vs 1/V
5

4,5

3,5

2,5

1,5

0,5

0
0 0,5 1 1,5 2 2,5 3 3,5

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Decreasing Pressure

Pressure Vs Volume
1,4

1,2

0,8

0,6

0,4

0,2

0
0 0,1 0,2 0,3 0,4 0,5 0,6 0,7 0,8 0,9 1

Pessure vs 1/V
1,2

0,8

0,6

0,4

0,2

0
0 0,1 0,2 0,3 0,4 0,5 0,6 0,7 0,8 0,9 1

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The purpose of the experiment was to compare actual results with theory and confirm Boyle’s
law for perfect gases. To do this in this experiment we used the apparatus called the Bench-top
apparatus which we took readings and measurements from a digital height indicator of the
height as the gauge pressure was increased and also as the gauge pressure was decreased
respectively while the temperature was kept constant. What we observed was that as the gauge
pressure was increased a decrease in height was obtained, which therefore result in a decrease
in volume. On the other hand, as the gauge pressure was decreased an increase in height was
obtained, which therefore resulted in an increase in volume. The above observations can be
supported by the obtained readings and graphs provided above.
To obtain the graphs drawn and the independent and dependent variable values we had to use
certain formulars and equations such as 𝑃𝑎𝑏𝑠 = 𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑚 + 𝑃𝑔 to calculate the absolute pressure
and 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 = 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 × 𝐻𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 to calculate the volume. This then gave us the appropriate
values to use when drawing our graphs. What we then observe from these graphs when looking
into our independent and dependent variables is that there is an inverse proportionality between
the variables in the graph of volume vs pressure and a direct proportionality in the graph of
1
pressure vs 𝑉. Such that when the when the volume increases the pressure decreases and vice
1
versa in the graph of pressure vs volume and in the graph of pressure vs as the pressure
𝑉
increases the volume also increases and vice versa.
We can therefore say that our experimental values do agree with the Boyle’s law theory. But
at the same time, we can say that there are inaccuracies and errors evident in our experimental
1
results. These inaccuracies can be observed from the graph of pressure vs 𝑉 where we can see
that the line graph is necessarily straight, which is due to inaccurate measurements and readings
during the experiment. Another possible error that can be observed is from the product of
volume and pressure (PV=K) we can see that the resulting values are not necessarily the same
or constant. This is due to approximations and rounding off calculated values. Other
experimental error causes were due to bubbles forming on the surface of the hydraulic fluid
which led to inaccurate height measurements and readings. Another one is working with faulty
equipment which led us to approximate values.

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Conclusion and recommendations
We can therefore conclude that our results do agree with the theory, regardless of the minor
experimental errors evident. But at the same time, we need to make recommendations to
address any possible errors. It is recommended that apparatus be checked before any
experiment can be conducted, to avoid working with faulty apparatus. In order to increase
accuracy, it is recommended we conduct the experiment multiple times.

References
1.Anon., 2023. Byju's. [Online]
Available at: https://byjus.com/chemistry/boyles-law/
[Accessed 21 March 2023].

2.Anon., 2003-2023. Study.com. [Online]

Available at: https://homework.study.com/explanation/what-are-the-assumptions-of-boyle-s-
law.html#:~:text=Answer%20and%20Explanation%3A&text=The%20assumptions%20made%20in%2
0Boyle's,lastly%2C%20the%20gas%20behaves%20ideally.
[Accessed 21 March 2023].

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Appendices
Increasing pressure
- Volume Calculations

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14 | P a g e
 - Absolute pressure PV=K Calculations

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Decreasing Pressure
- Volume Calculations

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 - Absolute Pressure and PV=K Calculations

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Procedure Used

General Procedure 1: Increasing Pressure.

1. Make sure the equipment is level. Open the air vents at the top of the each reservoir
and check that the oil reaches the fill level mark on both vessels.
2. Note the local air pressure.
3. Connect the bicycle-style pump to the one-way valve marked pressure.
4. Turn the two-way valve towards the pressure connection (to the left).
5. Connect the temperature display and switch it on.
6. Shut the air vent at the top of each vessel.
7. Note the air temperature in the test cylinder.
8. Move the pointer of the digital indicator to the top of the cylinder and zero its display.
9. Now slide the pointer down to measure the distance to the bottom of the trapped air
(top of the foil). Record the value in Table 1.
10. While watching the temperature, use the bicycle style pump to slowly increase the
pressure in the test cylinder to 0.4 bar (gauge). When the temperature returns to
normal (within 0.1°C), check the pressure and use the digital indicator to measure
the new distance to the bottom of the trapped air. (The temperature may take several
minutes to return to normal).
11. Repeat in 0.2 bar steps until 2 bar (gauge pressure) is reached.
12. Slowly open the air vent of the reservoir to allow the pressure to return back to
ambient.

General Procedure 2: Decreasing Pressure.

1. Repeat as in procedure 1, but use the vacuum pump and reduce the pressure in 0.1bar
steps. Record data in Table 2

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Apparatus

Two-way valve Reservoir Test Cylinder Pressure

gauge
Air vent

Movable
Digital
Indicator

Digital
Temperature
Display

Hydraulic
Oil

Pressure Pump Vacuum

(Bicycle-Style) Pump

Abstract
The purpose the experiment was to investigate Boyle’s law for perfect gases using the Boyle’s
law apparatus. So what we did in this experiment was to take the readings and measurements
of height on a digital indicator as the height was increased and also as the height was decreased
while the temperature was kept constant. The height in turn helped us to calculate the volume
of the fixed amount of gas.
The results we obtained are in two tables, which one table was for increasing pressure and the
other was for decreasing pressure. What we observed was that as the pressure was increased
the reading on the digital indicator was getting smaller but as the pressure was decreased the
reading on the indicator was getting larger.
What the results are telling us is that the pressure of a fixed amount is inversely proportional
with its volume when the temperature is kept constant. This in turn proves and justifies Boyle’s
law.

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