Which experimental set up would let a student investigate the connection between kinetic energy and temperature
One possible experimental setup to investigate the connection between kinetic energy and temperature could involve the use of gas particles and a container. Here's an outline of the experimental procedure:
Materials:
1. Gas container with a pressure gauge
2. Gas particles (e.g., air or helium)
3. Temperature sensor
4. Gas pressure sensor
5. Thermometer or temperature probe
6. Heat source (e.g., hot plate)
7. Stopwatch or timer
Procedure:
1. Set up the gas container with a pressure gauge attached to it. Ensure that the container is sealed properly.
2. Measure the initial temperature of the gas in the container using a thermometer or temperature probe. Record this value.
3. Measure the initial pressure inside the container using a gas pressure sensor. Record this value.
4. Close the container tightly to prevent any gas from escaping.
5. Place the container on a hot plate and heat it up gradually. Keep track of the time as the container heats up.
6. After a specified time interval (e.g., every 1 minute), use the temperature sensor to measure the temperature inside the container. Record this value.
7. Simultaneously, measure the pressure inside the container at each time interval using the gas pressure sensor. Record these values.
8. Repeat steps 5-7 for a sufficient number of intervals or until the desired temperature range has been covered.
9. Once the experiment is complete, plot a graph with temperature (independent variable) on the x-axis and kinetic energy (dependent variable) on the y-axis. The kinetic energy can be calculated using the ideal gas law equation: KE = (3/2) * PV, where P is pressure and V is volume.
10. Analyze the graph to observe any trends and determine the relationship between temperature and kinetic energy.
Note: Care should be taken to follow proper safety precautions, especially when using a heat source to avoid accidents or burns. It is also important to ensure the gas container is securely sealed to prevent any gas leaks.