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The Chemical Educator
ISSN: 1430-4171 (electronic version)
Abstract Volume 13
Issue 6 (2008) pp 351-352
The Determination of Absolute Zero: An Accurate and Rapid Method
James Gordon*, Lindsey Williams, Jennifer James, and Ryan Bernard
Division of Science, Mathematics and Computer Science,
Central Methodist University, Fayette, MO 65248, jgordon@centralmethodist.edu
Received
February 28, 2008. Accepted June 17, 2008.
Published online: 1 December 2008
Abstract. An accurate and relatively rapid experiment is presented for the determination of absolute zero. In this work, students use calculator-based technology and the appropriate probes to explore the relationship between the temperature and pressure of a gas held at constant volume. In addition to the immediate visualization of the linear relationship between pressure and temperature, students are able to determine the value of absolute zero from the equation for the best-fit line through the data set. The value for absolute zero was determined to be –271 ± 8 oC (n=23) from the most recent set of trials.
Key Words: Laboratories and Demonstrations; general chemistry
(*) Corresponding author. (E-mail: jgordon@centralmethodist.edu)
Article in PDF format (39 KB) HTML format
Issue date: December
1, 2008
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