Gas storage tanks with oxygen and argon and other cheap gases. 2.5 L glass acid bottle, 6 inch ring clamp, ring stand, plastic water tray, latex tubing, two-hole rubber stopper with glass rods for tube attachment points, thermometer, barometer, rules, water, 7 inch balloons, eye dropper, #1 one-hole rubber stopper, large graduated cylinders
Students determine the molecular weight of a pure gas in a balloon by using gas laws and trapping the gas in a glass bottle. Students watch the instructor demonstrate the lab on day one. On day two and three they practice the lab. On day four we discuss the lab and all the calculations. On day 5 students team up and complete a lab quiz. Their instructor fills their balloon with an unknown pure gas from a storage tank. Students are awarded points based on how close they report the gas mass.
Before the Activity
Students should have access to the TI-84 Plus family of calculators.
During the Activity
Students determine the molecular weight of a pure gas in a balloon by using gas laws and trapping the gas in a glass bottle.
After the Activity
Review student answers:
As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging
Gas storage tanks with oxygen and argon and other cheap gases. 2.5 L glass acid bottle, 6 inch ring clamp, ring stand, plastic water tray, latex tubing, two-hole rubber stopper with glass rods for tube attachment points, thermometer, barometer, rules, water, 7 inch balloons, eye dropper, #1 one-hole rubber stopper, large graduated cylinders
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