CHEM 254

EXPERIMENT 2
Adiabatic coefficient of gasesFlammersfeld oscillator
The kinetic gas theory makes predictions of the adiabatic coefficient of ideal gases. The internal
energy U of a gas can be changed by increasing the heat quantity q from outside or performing the
mechanical work on w:
= +

(1)

For adiabatic changes of states no heat exchange takes place with the environment. As a
consequence the heat quantity doesnt change: q = 0. To determine the adiabatic coefficient of air and
different gases the periodic time of the oscillation T of the mass m on the volume V of gas is used in
this experiment. Since the oscillatory process takes place relatively quickly, we can regard it as being
adiabatic and set up the adiabatic equation:

. V = const
=

(2)

(3)

(p refers to pressure and V is volume in Eq. 3)

In the experimental set up (Fig. 1), the gas flowing back into the system causes a slight excess
pressure to build up and this forces the oscillator upwards. Upward movement of the oscillator cleares
the opening and lets the excess pressure to escape. Now that the pressure is back to original
oscillator returns to original position and blocks the opening. This process is repeated. This method is
also called as a Rchardts Experiment in the literature. In this way, the actual free oscillation is
superimposed by a small, inphase excitation. When the body now swings out of the equilibrium
position by the small distance x, then p changes by p, and the expression of the forces occured is:

2
2

= 2

(4)

2 =
Substitution in (3), along with V = r2 gives the differential equation of the harmonic oscillator.
After arrangement, the desired equation for adiabatic coefficient can be obtained.

2
2

= 2 .
4
2 4

. r 2

(5)

(6)

With the values:

m = 4.59 103 kg
V = 1.14 103 m3
PL = 99.56 103 kg m1 s2
r = 5.95 103 m
Here, the adiabatic exponent

is given by

and

, = , +

(7)

and
Cp: specific heat if pressure is kept constant when the temperature is changed.
CV: specific heat if volume is kept constant when the temperature is changed.
The adiabatic coefficient can be predicted from the kinetic theory of gases irrespective of the type of
gas solely from the number of degrees of freedom of the gas molecule (f) . The number of degrees
of freedom of the gas molecule is dependent upon the number of atoms from which the molecule is
composed. A monatomic gas has only 3 degrees of translation, a diatomic gas has an additional 2
degrees of rotation, and triatomic gases have 3 degrees of rotational freedom and 3 of translational
freedom, making 6 in all. (The vibrational degrees of freedom are disregarded at the temperatures
under consideration). This means that from the kinetic theory of gases, and irrespective of the type of
gas, the adiabatic coefficient is given by:

+2

(8)

= 3, = 1.67
For diatomic gases: = 5, = 1.40
For triatomic gases: = 6, = 1.33
For monatomic gases:

Purpose: The aim of this experiment is to determine the adiabatic coefficient of various gases by
using Flammersfeld oscillator.

Apparatus and Chemicals

Apparatus: Aquarium pump, Aspirator bottle, Air control valve, Gas oscillator, Flammersfeld Light
barrier with Counter, Power supply 5 V DC/2.4 A, Aneroid barometer, Stop watch

Scheme 1. Experimetal set-up for the determination of adiabatic coefficient.

Procedure
Experiment with CO2
1. Place an aspirator bottle between the gas oscillator and the pump to act as a buffer.
2. Clean the precision glass tube thoroughly (dust-free) with alcohol, set it up vertically, and insert the
oscillator.
3. Align the beam of light from the light barrier so that it passed through the centre of the tube.
4. The trigger threshold of the light barrier is set automatically after switch-on by pressing the RESET
button. Select the operating mode COUNT in order to determine the number of oscillations of the
oscillator (n).
5. Set the flow rate of the gas so that the oscillator oscillates symmetrically about the slit.
6. Record the time for 300 oscillations.
7. Repeat this set 10 times or until you record the relevant results.
8. Measure the mass m of the oscillator by weighing.
9. Measure the diameter 2r of the oscillator carefully with a micrometer. If necessary, take the mean
value from several measurements at different positions, since the result depends to a considerable
extent on the accuracy of this reading.
10. The volume of the gas is determined on completion of the experiment by weighing: first weigh the
glass flask with precision tube empty, then fill it with water up to the slit and weigh it again. Determine
the volume from the density of water (dependent on the water temperature). The volume can also be
determined by emptying the water into a graduated measuring cylinder.
Experiment with Argon and Nitrogen
Repeat the same procedure for both Argon and Nitrogen.

Notes:
The oscillator is a precision part and must be treated with care accordingly. Insert the oscillator into the
tube only after the gas flow has been switched on, and place the hand lightly over the opening of the
tube until a constant amplitude has been attained, in order to prevent the oscillator from being ejected.
If the oscillator becomes wedged on the lower end of the tube, remove the glass tube and carefully
loosen the oscillator with the blunt end of a pencil.

Treatment of Data
1. Find the external atmospheric pressure (pL) by using the barometer.
2. Calculate internal gas pressure by using Eq. 9.

= +

(9)

g= acceleration due to gravity

3. Calculate adiabatic coefficient by using Eq. 6 and substituting Eq. 9 and recorded oscillation time.

4
2 4

Questions
1. Define heat capacity of gases.
2. What is Rchardts experiment, explain its basic principles?
3. Could you suggest an alternative method to determine Adiabatic Coefficient?
4. Define adiabatic system.

(6)

DATA SHEET
oscillator

Experiment 2. Adiabatic coefficient of gasesFlammersfeld

Group Number:

Recorded time
(s)
for
300
oscillations
Set 1

Set 2

Set 3

Set 4

Set 5

Date:
Assistant name and signature:

Air

Argon

Nitrogen