Determining absolute zero in the general chemistry lab

CHED 394

Edward L. Brown, ebrown@leeuniversity.edu and Matthew E. O'Reilly, morei000@leeu.edu. Department of Natural Sciences, Lee University, 1120 N Ocoee St, Cleveland, TN 37311
The value of absolute zero is determined with excellent accuracy by graphing the correlation between volume and temperature of air at 100oC and 0oC. The extrapolation of this line to the y-axis (where Volume = 0) gives the eperimental value of absolute zero as -273oC ± 5oC. The poster will detail two unique experimental approaches that are necessary to obtain the excellent results reported. First, an experimental design will be described in which the air at 100oC is not in contact with water and is not influenced by the high vapor pressure of water at this temperature. Second, a method for ensuring that the temperature of the entire collection of air is homogeneous and 100oC will be described.
 

Undergraduate Research Poster Session: Chemical Education
11:00 AM-1:00 PM, Monday, April 7, 2008 Morial Convention Center -- Hall A, Poster

Division of Chemical Education

The 235th ACS National Meeting, New Orleans, LA, April 6-10, 2008