Name: ___________________________ Date: _______________
Gas Laws Computer Lab
Simulation 1: Effusion
Go to the following website:
http://group.chem.iastate.edu/Greenbowe/sections/projectfolder/flashfiles/gaslaw/micro_effusion.html Begin
with the hydrogen molecules selected and press start. Observe the effusion of molecules. Repeat the process
with oxygen and then answer the questions below.
1. What is the difference between diffusion and effusion?
2. What similarities and differences do you notice when you compare oxygen gas and hydrogen gas?
3. Which type of gas moves more rapidly? What does this allow you to conclude about the rate of effusion
and diffusion?
Simulation 2: Boyle’s Law
Go to the following website:
http://group.chem.iastate.edu/Greenbowe/sections/projectfolder/flashfiles/gaslaw/boyles_law.html
Boyle’s Law explains the relationship between pressure and volume for ideal gases. Select “Air” first. Use your
mouse to adjust the volume by dragging the plunger of the syringe. Record the volume and pressure in the data
table below, including six different volumes. Then, repeat the activity but select on a gas of your choice. Write
the type of gas selected at the top of the data table.
“Air”
Volume
Gas Choice: ________________
Pressure
Volume
Pressure
Graph the data from the table using the grid on the back of this page. Volume will be on the y-axis and pressure
will be on the x-axis. Draw a line through the plotted points. Include both graphs on the same grid; however,
indicate which line represents “air” and which line represents your gas choice by labeling each line. Don’t
forget to include a title and label your axes.
4. What is the mathematical relationship between pressure and volume?
5. Was there a difference for the gases?
6. Multiply the pressure by the volume for a few trials. What do you notice?
7. Based off of the information above, make a prediction of what Boyle’s law states.
Simulation 3: Charles’ Law
Go to the following website:
http://physics.gac.edu/~mellema/Aapt2001/Charles'%20Law.htm
Charles’ law explains the relationship between volume and temperature for ideal gases. Press the play button
under the container of gas. Observe the changes that you see and the graph of the data. To see the simulation
again, press reset and then start.
8. Draw a quick sketch of the graph that you observe. You should label the axes, but the exact data is not
necessary.
9. What is the mathematical relationship between volume and temperature?
10. The type of gas present in the container was not indicated. Do you think that you would see similar
results or different results with a different type of gas?
11. Based off of the information above, make a prediction of what Charles’ law states.
Simulation 4: Gay-Lussac’s Law
Go to the following website:
http://www.chm.davidson.edu/vce/kineticmoleculartheory/PT.html
Gay-Lussac’s law explains the relationship between pressure and temperature for ideal gases. Observe the gas
particles in the container. Press start to see the molecules begin to move. Next, use your mouse to drag the
liquid in the thermometer to change the temperature. The data will automatically be graphed for you. Change
the temperature lower and higher than the original temperature. You can always refresh the screen to start again.
12. Draw a quick sketch of the graph that you observe. You should label the axes but the exact data is not
necessary.
13. What is the mathematical relationship between pressure and temperature?
14. What property of the gas causes the change in pressure when the temperature is changed? (Think about
how the molecules change.)
15. Based off of the information from above, make a prediction of what Charles’ law states.
Simulation 5: The Combined Gas Law
Go to the following website:
http://www.chem.ufl.edu/~itl/2045/MH_sims/gas_sim.html
The combined gas law explains the relationship between pressure, volume, and temperature. The simulation
begins to explain the Ideal Gas Law, which we will discuss later in the course. Take some time with this
simulation to try to adjust various parameters and observe the results.
16. Look at the equation to the lower left of the cylinder of gas. Identify what the symbols stand for in the
equation. Hint: Click on the other tabs, besides the interactive tab.
P=
V=
n=
R=
T=
17. What parameters did you change in this simulation and what effect did you observe? Record at least 3
parameters and the result.