A precise determination of absolute zero

Strange, Ronald S.; Lang, Frank T.

doi:10.1021/ed066p1054

Cited by 7 publications

(12 citation statements)

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“…Several laboratory experiments evaluating absolute zero in degrees Celsius have been used in freshman and upperlevel (physical) chemistry courses (1)(2)(3)(4)(5). They serve well in proving the existence of the lowest possible temperature, ᎑273.15 °C, and in demonstrating several gas laws such as Charles's law.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Simple Laboratory Experiment for the Determination of Absolute Zero

Kim

Kim²,

2001

J. Chem. Educ.

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A novel method that evaluates absolute zero was developed. It employs a remarkably simple and inexpensive apparatus and is based on the extrapolation of the volume of a given amount of dry air to zero volume after a volume of air trapped inside a 10-mL graduated cylinder is measured at various temperatures. This method of determining absolute zero is new in the sense that it utilizes reported values of the vapor pressure of water at various temperatures to extract the volume of dry air from that of wet air. A set of 10 measured values ranged from -263.10 to -287.90 °C with an average value and standard deviation of 277.86 ± 7.35 °C. This result is notably better than results from other methods of extrapolation to zero volume, which typically yield a standard deviation of ±20 °C.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Simple Laboratory Experiment for the Determination of Absolute Zero

Kim

Kim²,

2001

J. Chem. Educ.

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“…If the usual fit to mx + b is carried out, absolute zero must be computed from ᎑b͞m, and the error in absolute zero must be obtained by hand using the equation above or by matrix algebra using V. It is tempting to avoid these postfit calculations by assigning temperature as the y variable and fitting the data to mx + b so that the fit immediately returns absolute zero as the y-intercept with its associated error. This procedure, which has been suggested at least twice in this Journal (1,3), is usually incorrect because the pressure or volume measurements are less precise than the temperature measurements. When used incorrectly, this short cut will bias the value of absolute zero, the size of the bias depending on the distribution of the temperature data.…”

Section: Least-squares Theorymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The concept of absolute zero is essential to an understanding of ideal gas behavior, so it is not surprising that many undergraduate lab experiments have been designed to measure absolute zero (1)(2)(3). Usually a gas sample is trapped and its pressure or volume is measured as a function of temperature; when the data are plotted as P versus T or V versus T the x -intercept is the estimated value of absolute zero.…”

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confidence: 99%

A Global Least-Squares Fit for Absolute Zero

Salter

2003

J. Chem. Educ.

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A simple, nonlinear least-squares method is described that permits gas thermometry data to be fitted directly to absolute zero. This nonlinear method can be implemented using Solver in Excel, and unlike other linear methods previously reported, it is statistically sound. The Excel macro SolverAid can be used to compute the error in absolute zero. The method can be applied simultaneously to multiple sets of data, permitting a global value of absolute zero to be computed from different gas samples. Constant volume thermometry data for helium are used to illustrate the global fit to absolute zero using Solver in an Excel spreadsheet. The relationship between the global value of absolute zero and the values from the individual fits is analyzed.

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“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] Most such experiments are based on the isobaric process for the ideal gas (Charles' law). [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] The use of the isochoric process for this aim is quite uncommon for unexplainable reasons. 10 All the experiments are carried out with air.…”

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confidence: 99%

“…The air is confined in different kinds of containers: straight tubes, 4,6,8 "J" tubes, 2 capillary tubes, 5 syringes, flasks, etc. 7,9 In order to keep the air constantly at atmospheric pressure, it is held in the containers by a movable column of liquid. Doing so presents experimental problems.…”

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confidence: 99%

Experimental Determination of Absolute Zero Temperature

Ivanov

2003

The Physics Teacher

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Absolute zero temperature is one of the fundamental constants in physics. Its experimental determination is of great value to the teaching and understanding of physics. In this paper, we offer two ways of experimental determination of absolute zero. In the first case, the absolute zero is defined by means of an isochoric process (constant volume), conducted with a set amount of air closed in a regular jar. In the other case, the absolute zero is determined by means of an isobaric process (constant pressure) with air closed in a flask. The experiments are characterized by their accessibility and considerable precision of results.

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A precise determination of absolute zero

Abstract: Excellent extrapolations to absolute zero can be obtained for dry air using a simple apparatus constructed from an Erlenmeyer flask, an oil manostat and a plastic syringe.

Cited by 7 publications

References 0 publications

A Simple Laboratory Experiment for the Determination of Absolute Zero

A Simple Laboratory Experiment for the Determination of Absolute Zero

A Global Least-Squares Fit for Absolute Zero

Experimental Determination of Absolute Zero Temperature

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