Hands-On-Physics
HEAT & TEMPERATURE

Messing
Around

- Gas Expansion -



Background:

Gas expands when it is heated and contracts when it cools. You can use this to make a soda straw thermometer. If you trap some gas so that its pressure doesn't change, then the volume of the gas will be proportional to the absolute temperature. So, if you trap some gas but let it expand and contract, its volume changes with temperature. You can use these volume changes to measure temperature changes.

Construction Suggestions:

To construct a thermometer you can use a clear plastic soda straw.

Here is one way to do it:
Draw a plug of water into the end of the soda straw as shown below in figure M10. Seal one end of the straw.


Figure M10
Soda Straw Thermometer

Measurements


Questions:

Ideas for further investigation:

Try making a scale for your thermometer like those on commercial thermometers. You could have a major division line every 20 °C.

The soda straw thermometer should be more sensitive by increasing the volume of trapped air. Could you use a soda bottle? Build and test your design.




Prepare a Report: Review the questions, look at the suggestions for reporting, and prepare a report on your thermometer


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