A Variation of Charles' Gas Law
Chemistry Mini-Lab
Introduction
Lab safety and Instruction
Lab Safety Equipment
- Safety Goggles- To protect the experimenter’s eyes. Secure it tightly so that it creates a suction so no chemicals can enter.
- Lab Coat- To protect experimenters from chemical splashes on the body. Make sure to put it on correctly and tie it tightly.
Lab Safety Procedure
Be sure not to consume the alka seltzer pills; this consumption could potentially cause an allergic reaction or internal failure.
When using the bunsen burner, make sure the experimenter’s lab coats and goggles are tightly secured.
Before igniting a flame, make sure all long hair and papers are away from the spark and flame.
Make sure the bunsen burner’s gas tap is turned to the right setting in order to create the correct flame intensity.
Materials and Equipment
3 Alka Seltzer pills
Tub of ice
Tripod
3 Erlenmeyer Flasks
Bunsen burner
Measurement tape
3 balloons of exact color and type
Journal
Pencil
Timer
Procedure
Fill all three Erlenmeyer flasks with 15 mL of water.
Crush the Alka Seltzer pills and fill each balloon with a crushed pill.
Carefully stretch the balloons over the mouth of the flasks while making sure the Alka seltzer doesn’t fall into the water.
Turn one balloon so that the Alka Seltzer falls into the water.
When the balloon is inflated, measure its circumference using the measuring tape after 1 minute.
Record the circumference in a journal.
Repeat Step 4 with another balloon.
Put this flask on the tripod and light a bunsen burner underneath it.
Repeat Step 5
Repeat Step 6
Repeat Step 4 with the last balloon.
Put this flask in the tub of ice.
Repeat Step 5
Repeat Step 6
Compare and analyze the change in size for the different temperatures.