Experiment

2: Compression and Expansion of Gases

ENGG 311, L01, B03 Lab Group C1
Jeanie Au (10121107)

Date Performed:

Wednesday October 8th, 2014

Co-Experimenters:

Gina Kisell





Rui (Hannah) Qian

Purpose


The experiment is designed to demonstrate the behavior of gases undergoing
expansion and compression. The objective is to investigate the relationship between
the pressure and volume of the gas in order determine the polytrophic indices for
both isothermal and adiabatic processes. The effects of friction on the system will
also be examined.

Procedure and Apparatus


Refer to ENGG 311 Laboratory Manual, Experiment 2: Compression and
Expansion of Gases (pages 16-19) for a detailed procedure (Vermeulen, Ramesh, &
Roberts, 2014)

Raw Data

Table 1: Barometric pressure and temperature of the lab room (Note: This applies to
both System A and B)

Barometric Pressure (mmHg)
Room Temperature (C)
665.5
22.7

3
\

Treatment of Data
Static Test for System (a):

1. Sample Calculation: Absolute pressure as determined by the load (2kg)

! Pw: Absolute Pressure
! W: Weight of Piston
! A: Cross-sectional Area = 20.27cm3
! Patm: Atmospheric Pressure = 665.5mmHg

First, we need to convert the atmospheric pressure (Patm) from mmHg to kPa.

101.325kPa
P!"# = 665.5mmHg

760mmHg
P!"# = 88.73kPa

Next, we need to determine the weight (W) of the piston.

! m: Mass of Load = 2kg
! g: Gravitational Acceleration (in Calgary) = 9.807m/s2

W = mg
m
W = 2kg 9.807 !
s
1kN
W = 19.614N

1000N
W = 0.019614kN

Next, we need to convert the area given in the lab manual from cm2 to m2.

! A: Area = 20.27cm2

1m!
A = 20.27cm

100cm !
A = 2.027 10!! m!

Now we can calculate the Absolute Pressure caused by the 2kg load

3W
P! =
+ P!"#
A
3 0.019614kN
P! =
+ 88.73kPa
2.027 10!! m!
P! = 117.759kPa

The absolute pressure caused by the load (2kg) is 117.759kPa

Sample Calculation: Uncertainty of absolute pressure for 2kg mass (values are
obtained from the previous sample calculation (page 3)

3W
P! =
+ P!"#
A

3W
3W ! !
! !

=
+

A
A
W
A
3W
3 0.019614kN

=
0 !
A
2.027 10!! m!
3W

= 0
A

!!
!!"#
= P!"# =

P!
P!"#
101.325kPa
0.05mmHg
= 665.5mmHg


760mmHg
665.5mmHg
= 0.0067kPa

P! =
!!
!!

The uncertainty for the absolute pressure is 0.0067kPa. The uncertainty for all
loads is the same because the uncertainty for the load and cross sectional area is
negligible.


2. Sample Calculation: Gauge Pressure

! Pg: Gauge Pressure
! Pexp = Experiment Pressure (from Table 2) = 0.17V

137.93Pa 1000mV
1kPa
P! = 0.17V



1mV
1V
1000Pa
P! = 23.4481 kPa

The gauge pressure is 23.45kPa.

Sample Calculation: Uncertainty of the gauge pressure for Pg = 23.45kPa.

kPa
!! = 137.93
0.05V
V
!! = 0.690kPa

The uncertainty for the gauge pressure is 0.690kPa

3. Sample Calculation: Gas volume

! V: Volume of gas
! V: Change in Volume due to piston displacement
! V0: Initial volume = 1.521 x 10-4 m3

First, we need to calculate the change in volume caused by the change in
displacement of the piston.

! A: Cross-sectional area = 2.027 x 10-3m2
! L: Piston displacement = 17.5mm

V = A L
1m
V = 2.02710!! m! 17.5mm

1000mm
V = 3.547310!! m!

Now we can calculate the volume of gas

V = V! V
V = 1.52110!! m! 3.547310!! m!
V = 1.166310!! m!

The volume of gas for the piston displacement of 17.5mm is 1.1663x10-4m3

Sample Calculation: Uncertainty of the gas volume (displacement L = 17.5mm)

! = !! !

!! = 0

! = V

W! !

L

! = 3.547310!! m!

0.0005m !

0.0175m

! = 1.0110!! m!
! = 1.0110!! m!

The uncertainty for the gauge pressure is 1.01x10-6m3

In order to determine the polytropic index for the compression of the process in
System (a), we need to plot a graph representing the relationship between the
ln(Pgas) and the ln(V). Pgas is the absolute gas pressure Pw.

Sample Calculation: natural logarithm of the gas pressure and volume when load is
2kg.
! Pgas: Absolute pressure of gas = 117.759kPa
! V: Gas volume = 1.1663x10-4m3

ln P!"# = ln 117.759kPa
ln P!"# = 4.769
ln V = ln 1.166310!! m!
ln V = 9.057

Refer to Table 5 for all calculated values for all loads.
Refer to Figure 4 for graphical representation of the relationship between ln(Pgas)
and ln(V).

Dynamic Test for System (b):

Calibration Scale for Figure 3:
From the lab manual:

X axis
Xc is calculated by dividing the piston displacement by the distance in the x axis.
(Given from the lab manual)

130mm 5.20mm
X! =
=

25cm
cm
For the piston displacement,
! L: piston displacement (mm)
! Xc: calibration value (mm/cm)
! X: value of displacement (cm)

L = (X! )(X)

Sample Calculation: scale at X = 1cm
L = X! X
5.20mm
L=
1cm
cm
L = 5.20mm

Y axis
Yc is calculated by dividing gauge pressure by the distance in the y axis.
(Found from Figure 3 point A)

0.24V 137.93Pa 1000mV
1kPa
5.90kPa
Y! =

=

5.6cm
mV
1V
1000Pa
cm

From Figure 3, when X = 1cm, it can be measured that Y = 0.90cm.

P! = Y! Y
5.90kPa
P! =
0.9cm
cm
P! = 5.31kPa

Thus, when the piston displacement is 5.20mm, the gauge pressure is 5.31kPa.

Refer to Figure 2 for scaled graph

Now, we need to determine the absolute gas pressure.
Sample Calculation: Absolute gas pressure for displacement L=5.20mm

! Pgas: Gas pressure
! Pg: Gauge pressure = 5.31kPa
! Patm: Atmospheric pressure = 88.73kPa

P!"# = P! + P!"#
P!"# = 5.31kPa + 88.73kPa
P!"# = 94.04kPa

The absolute gas pressure is 94.04kPa.

Next, we need the gas volume. Please refer to System (a), calculation 2 for the
complete sample calculation to find gas volume.

In order to determine the polytropic index for the compression of the process in
System (b), we need to plot a graph representing the relationship between the
ln(Pgas) and the ln(V).

Refer to System (a) for sample calculation of the natural logarithm of gas pressure
and volume.

Refer to Table 6 for calculated values for dynamic system (b)
Refer to Figure 4 for graphical representation of the relationship between ln(Pgas)
and ln(V).

Polytropic Index
As seen from Figure 4, the polytropic index can be found by simply taking the
negative of the slope of each line of best fit.

System (a)

From the lab manual, isothermal processes have a theoretical polytropic
index ntheoretical = 1 for air.
n! = 0.9457
n! = 0.946


theoretical experimental
% error =
100%
theoretical
1 0.9457
% error =
100%
1
% error = 5.43%
System (b)

From the lab manual, reversible adiabatic processes have a theoretical
polytropic index ntheoretical = 1.4 for air.
n! = 1.2457
n! = 1.246

theoretical experimental
% error =
100%
theoretical
1.4 1.2457
% error =
100%
1.4
% error = 11.02%

Refer to Table 7 for polytropic indices values for system (a) and system (b)

Calculation: We can now determine the maximum potential energy for the dynamic
test of System (b). The maximum potential energy is equivalent to the gravitational
potential energy.

! PEmax: maximum potential energy
! (z2 z1): piston displacement = 41.0mm
! m: mass of load = 2.5kg
! g: gravitational acceleration = 9.807m/s2

PE!"# = 3mg z! z!
m
1m
PE!"# = 3 2.5kg 9.807 ! 41.0mm

s
1000mm
PE!"# = 3.016J

The maximum potential energy is -3.016J.

Calculation: We can also determine the work done by the gas in the cylinder.

! Wb: work done by gas in cylinder
! P1: initial pressure = 88.73kPa
! V1: initial volume = 3.275x10-4m3
! P2: final pressure = 165.14kPa (refer to Table 6)
! V2: final volume = 1.86x10-4m3 (refer to Table 6)
! n: polytropic index = 1.2457

P! V! P! V!
W! =

1n
165.14kPa 1.8610!! m! 88.73kPa 3.27510!! m!
1000Pa
W! =

1 1.2457
1kPa
W! = 6.744J

The work done by the gas in the cylinder is -6.744J.

Calculation: We can also calculate the work done by the atmosphere and the
weights.

! Wa: work done by the atmosphere and weights
! Patm: atmospheric pressure = 88.73kPa
! (V2 V1): change in cylinder volume
! W: weight = m x g
! (z2 z1): displacement of piston = 0.06968m

W! = P!"# V! V! 3W z! z!
W! = 88.73kPa 1.8610!! m! 3.27510!! m!
m
3 2.5kg9.807 ! 0.0698m
s
W! = 5.1465J

The work done by the atmosphere and weights is -5.1465J.

Now that we have Wb and Wa, we can determine work done against friction.

! Wf: work done against friction
! Wa = -5.1465J
! Wb = -6.744J

W! = W! W!
W! = 5.1465J 6.744J
W! = 1.597J

The work done against friction is 1.597J.
Refer to Table 8 for work and energy values for dynamic system (b)

Static Test for System (b)

In order to plot the expected curve PV = const, we need to calculate the value of the
constant.
From the lab manual, the constant can be obtained by substituting the initial volume
V0 and the atmospheric pressure Patm into the formula.

! const: constant relating pressure and volume
! Patm: atmospheric pressure = 88.73kPa
! V0: initial cylinder volume = 3.275 x10-4m3

const = P!"# V!
1000Pa
const = 88.73kPa 3.27510!! m!

1kPa
const = 29.06J

From the lab manual, we can obtain the expected (theoretical) values for pressure.

Sample Calculation: Expected pressure for displacement L=20.5mm

! Pth: expected pressure
! PatmV0: constant = 29.06J
! V0: Initial cylinder volume = 3.275x10-4m3
! L: displacement = 20.5mm

P!"# V!
P!" =

V! 2.02710!! L
29.06J
P!" =

!!
!
3.27510 m 2.02710!! 0.0205m
P!" = 88.74kPa

The expected pressure at L=20.5mm is 88.74kPa

In order to compare the expected curve and the experimental data, we must convert
the expected pressure to expected gauge pressure in kPa.

Sample Calculation: Conversion of expected pressure to expected gauge pressure.

! Pthg: expected gauge pressure
! Pth: expected gas pressure = 88.74kPa
! Patm: atmospheric pressure = 88.73kPa

P!"# = P!" P!"#
P!"# = 88.74kPa 88.73kPa
P!"# = 0.01kPa

Again, we must have everything in terms of gauge pressure and kPa. Therefore, we
now nee to convert the experimental gauge pressure from (V) to (kPa)

Sample Calculation: Conversion of experimental gauge pressure from (V) to (kPa)
for Pg = 0.1

137.83Pa 1000mV
1kPa
P! = 0.1V

mV
1V
1000Pa
P! = 13.78kPa

The experimental gauge pressure is 13.78Pa.

Calibration Scale for Figure 2:
From the lab manual:

X axis
130mm 5.20mm
X! =
=

25cm
cm

In order to graph the theoretical data, we must etermine X when given displacement
of 20.5mm
L = X! X
L
20.5mm
X=
=
mm
X!
5.20 cm
X = 3.94cm


Y axis (using point )

0.10V 137.93Pa 1000mV
1kPa
6.27kPa
Y! =

=

2.2cm
mV
1V
1000Pa
cm

Similarly, we must determine Y when given expected gauge pressure of 12.92kPa
P!"# = Y! Y
P!"#
Y=

Y!
12.92kPa
Y=

6.27kPa
cm
Y = 6.46 cm


Refer to Figure 3 for scaled graph of the expected pressures at each displacement
value.

From Figure 2, we can see that the theoretical curve pV = const varies from the
experimental curve.
By taking the maximum experimental pressure (Pg) at the maximum value and
comparing it to the expected value Pth, we can determine the % error.

theoretical experimental
% error =
100%
theoretical
59.77 67.59
% error =
100%
59.77
% error = 13.08%


Results

Table 5: Calculated values for properties of static test for System (a) Refer to sample
calculations above.
Load Weight
Pw (kPa)
Pg
V
V
ln(V)
ln(Pgas)
-5
3
4-
3
(kg)
(N)
(kPa)
(x10 m ) (x10 m )

0
0.0000
88.73
0.00
0.00
1.521
-8.791
4.486
2
0.0196
117.76
23.45
3.55
1.166
-9.057
4.769
4
0.0392
146.75
51.03
5.78
0.943
-9.269
4.989
6
0.0588
175.76
78.62
7.30
0.791
-9.445
5.169
8
0.0785
204.91
106.21
8.61
0.660
-9.626
5.434
10
0.0981
233.92
135.17
9.43
0.578
-9.759
5.455
12
0.1177
262.93
165.52
10.14
0.507
-9.89
5.572
14
0.1373
291.94
193.10
10.64
0.457
-9.993
5.568
16
0.1569
320.95
222.07
11.15
0.406
-10.112 5.771
18
0.1765
349.95
249.65
11.45
0.376
-10.189 5.858
20
0.1961
378.96
280.00
11.76
0.345
-10.275 5.937
22
0.2158
408.12
308.96
12.06
0.315
-10.366 6.012
24
0.2354
437.13
337.93
12.26
0.295
-10.431
6.08
22
0.2158
408.12
331.03
12.16
0.305


20
0.1961
378.96
300.69
11.96
0.325


18
0.1765
349.95
274.48
11.76
0.345


16
0.1569
320.95
246.89
11.45
0.376


14
0.1373
291.94
216.55
11.05
0.416


12
0.1177
262.93
188.96
10.34
0.487


10
0.0981
233.92
160.00
10.14
0.507


8
0.0785
204.91
132.41
9.43
0.578


6
0.0588
175.76
102.07
8.41
0.680


4
0.0392
146.75
70.34
6.99
0.822


2
0.0196
117.76
38.62
4.97
1.024


0
0.0000
88.73
9.66
1.82
1.339


Table 6: Calculated values of properties for Dynamic System (b)

X
Y
L
Pg
Pgas
V
V
ln(V) ln(Pgas)
-5
3
4-
3
(cm) (cm) (mm) (kPa) (kPa) (x10 m ) (x10 m )

0.00 0.00 0.00
0.00
88.73
0.00
3.28
-8.022 4.486
1.00 0.90 5.20
5.31
94.04
1.05
3.17
-8.057 4.544
2.00 1.90 10.40 11.15 99.88
2.12
3.06
-8.092 4.603
3.00 2.70 15.60 16.17 104.90
3.16
2.96
-8.125 4.653
4.00 3.70 20.80 22.13 110.86
4.22
2.85
-8.181 4.708
5.00 5.10 26.00 30.09 118.82
5.27
2.75
-8.199 4.778
6.00 6.60 31.20 38.94 127.67
6.32
2.64
-8.24
4.849
7.00 7.70 36.40 45.43 134.16
7.38
2.54
-8.278 4.899
8.00 9.10 41.60 53.63 142.36
8.43
2.43
-8.322 4.958
9.00 10.80 46.80 63.72 152.45
9.49
2.33
-8.364 5.027
10.00 12.50 52.00 73.75 162.48
10.54
2.22
-8.413 5.091
13.40 12.90 69.68 76.41 165.14
14.12
1.86
-8.59
5.107


Figure 4: Graphical representation of the natural log of gas volume and the natural
log of gas pressure for both static system (a) (blue) and dynamic system (b) (red).

Natural logarithm of gas volume ln(Pgas)

7.00
6.00

y = -1.2457x - 5.4565

5.00
4.00

y = -0.9457x - 3.7846

System A
System B

3.00

Linear (System A)
Linear (System B)

2.00
1.00
0.00

-12

-10

-8

-6

-4

-2

Natural logarithm of gas volume ln(V)

Table 7: Polytropic indices for systems (a) and (b) and their respective percent
errors
System
Experimental Value Theoretical Value
% Error
A
0.946
1
5.43
B
1.246
1.4
11.02


Table 8: Calculated values for work and energy

Parameter
Value (J)
PEmax
-3.016
Wa
-5.147
Wb
-6.744
Wf
1.597


Table 9: Calculated values for properties of static test for System (b)

Load (kg)
Pg (kPa)
Pth (kPa)
Pthg (kPa)
Xth(cm)
Yth(cm)
0
0.00
88.75
0.02
0.00
0.00
1
13.78
101.65
12.92
3.94
2.06
2
28.97
116.90
28.17
7.48
4.49
3
45.52
130.28
41.55
9.90
6.63
4
62.07
142.02
53.29
11.65
8.50
5
67.59
148.50
59.77
12.5
9.54
4
66.21
148.50
59.77
12.5
9.54
3
53.79
139.81
51.08
11.35
8.15
2
40.00
131.30
42.57
9.32
6.79
1
23.48
127.39
38.66
6.73
6.17
0
0.00
99.19
10.46
3.27
1.67

Discussion
System (a)
The effects of friction were apparent in both the graph and the experimental value
obtained for the polytropic index n. From observing Figure 1, it can be seen that the
graph did not end at zero (the same as the beginning) meaning that some of the
energy (work) was lost between the processes of expansion and compression. It can
be inferred that this loss is due to friction. This also shows that the behavior of the
gas is not reversible. From Table 7, the polytropic index for system (a) is 0.946. This
is relatively close to the theoretical polytropic index for air, n=1, for isothermal
processes. This only yields a 5.43% error. It can also be inferred that the error is due
to the friction and also the fact that some heat was lost in between the compression
and expansion processes. The heat loss can be indicated by noting the (slowly)
increasing temperature of the water in observations Table 1. Despite the sources of
error, the value n=0.946 is reasonable.

System (b)
The sources of error listed above for system (a) can also be applied to the static test
for system (b). By comparing the maximum gauge pressures on the graph Figure 2,
it can be seen that the percent error between the values is 13.08%. This is a
relatively large error value. A source of error that directly impacted this is the
friction due to the metal cylinder as well as heat loss through the metal cylinder and
the insulated surroundings.
For dynamic system (b), the polytropic index obtained was 1.246 with an error of
11.02%. The polytropic index obtained was compared to the theoretical value 1.4
for reversible adiabatic processes for air. The error is mainly caused by the friction
between the piston and the cylinder of system (b). The heat loss calculated 1.597J
which is also a factor towards the error in the polytropic index n. Another source of
error was the human error in reaction time. Because the lever was allowed to
oscillate, it is possible that the experimental pressure did not match the point it was
plotted.

Conclusion

From the observations, data analysis and results, it can be seen that as the volume
decreases, the pressure increases at a nonlinear rate. The purpose was fulfilled and
it was determined that:

! The polytropic index for air in an isothermal process was calculated to
be n=0.946 with an error of 5.43%.
! The polytropic index for air in an adiabatic process was calculated to
be n=1.246 with an error of 11.02%.
! The effects of friction played a huge part in the error that was
calculated for the polytropic indices. Refer to Table 8.
! For Figure 3, it can be seen that although the trends are similar, the
values vary for the pressures yielding a 13.08% error for the pressure
at displacement of 67.60mm.

References

Roberts E.P.L, Ramesh V. and Vermeulen P.J. (2014) Engg 311 Engineering
Thermodynamics
Laboratory Manual Fall 2014, Schulich School of Engineering, University of Calgary