The Drinking Bird Toy and its Modifications as A Means of Illustrating Thermodynamic Concepts

TCE

The Chemical Educator

ISSN: 1430-4171 (electronic version)

Table of Contents

Abstract Volume 2 Issue 5 (1997), S1430-4171(97)05142-4

The Drinking Bird Toy and its Modifications as A Means of Illustrating Thermodynamic Concepts

D. I. Ford* and S. D. Brittain

Department of Chemistry, LeTourneau University, Longview, TX 75607-7001

Published online: 26 November 1997

Abstract. The drinking bird toy is modified so that it operates using ice instead of liquids. It is shown how this and other modifications can be used in general and physical chemistry courses to illustrate a variety of thermodynamic concepts. Expressions are given for the maximum work in terms of the heat of vaporization or the heat of fusion. A sample calculation is given to compare the maximum work obtainable from equal amounts of liquid water and ice.

Key Words: In the Classroom; demonstrations; physical chemistry; teaching/learning aids; thermodynamics; drinking bird toy; laboratory instruction

(*) Corresponding author. (E-mail: fordd@letu.edu)

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