LETI-10 Apparatus of Air Specific Heat Ratio

Instructional Manual

Lambda Scientific Systems, Inc

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 CONTENTS

1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 1
2. Theory ........................................................................................................................................ 1
3. Apparatus Structure and Specifications ..................................................................................... 4
4. Precautions ................................................................................................................................. 5
5. Experimental Contents ............................................................................................................... 6
6. Experimental Procedures ........................................................................................................... 6
7. Example of Data Recording and Processing .............................................................................. 7
8. Part List ...................................................................................................................................... 8
1. Introduction

The specific heat ratio (adiabatic index) of air measurement is an important experiment in
general physics at universities. Traditionally, the specific heat ratio of a gas is measured by
using an open u-shaped mercury or water manometer for gas pressure measurement, and a
Mercury thermometer for temperature measurement.

This apparatus uses a diffused Silicon pressure sensor to measure gas pressure and an
integrated temperature sensor to measure temperature, leading to higher accuracy and
sensitivity. It has obvious thermodynamic phenomenon. Experimental error is less than 3% as
compared to the standard value. Using this apparatus, students can learn the principle and
applications of an advanced Silicon pressure sensor.

2. Theory

For one mole of an ideal gas, the relation between the specific heat in constant pressure Cp and
the specific heat in constant volume Cv is as follows:

C p  Cv  R (1)

where R is the universal gas constant. The specific heat (capacity) ratio  of a gas is:

Cp
  (2)
Cv

The specific heat ratio of gas  is also called the adiabatic coefficient of gas. It is an important
physical quantity, and often appears in various thermodynamic equations.

A schematic of the apparatus for measuring the value of  is shown in Figure 1, whereas the
experimental process is shown in Figure 2.

By adopting the remaining air in the container bottle at State II as the object under study, the
experimental process is carried out as following (where P0 is the ambient atmospheric pressure,
T0 is the room temperature, and V2 is the volume of the bottle container):

1
 1. Air inlet valve C1 2. Air outlet valve C2 3. AD590 temperature sensor
4. Pressure sensor 5. Sealant

Figure 1 Schematic of apparatus for measuring specific heat ratio of air

Figure 2 Process flow-chart for measuring specific heat ratio of air

2
 1) Open valve C2 to let air into the bottle container. Now, the air in the bottle has the same
temperature and pressure as the ambient air. Then close C2.

2) Open inlet valve C1, pump some air into the bottle with the inflating ball and then close
inlet valve C1. Now, the air in the bottle is compressed with both pressure and
temperature increased. Then, the air temperature will slowly drop as heat exchanges
with the pumped air. Wait for the air temperature in the bottle to be stabilized at T1,
which should reach T0 if the waiting time is long enough and the ambient temperature is
stable at T0. In practice, however, when the temperature change tends to stop, we can
assume T1T0, and the resulting error on the experimental results is negligible. Now the
gas is in State I (P1, V1, T1). Note: the object under study is limited to the remaining air
in the container bottle at State II, where volume V1 will be smaller than V2 since there is
extra pumped-in air in the bottle apart from the object under study.

3) Open outlet valve C2, let the air bottle open to the ambient air. When the pressure drops
to P0, immediately close C2. Since the process of air releasing is very fast, the air in the
bottle has almost no heat exchange with the outside air, so it can be approximated as an
adiabatic expansion process. Now, the air state in the bottle is transformed from State I
(P1, V1, T1) into State II (P0, V2, T2).

4) After the adiabatic expansion process, air temperature T2 in the bottle is lower than the
ambient temperature, so the air in the bottle will slowly absorb heat from the outside air.
Wait for the air temperature in the bottle to be stabilized at T3, while recording the air
pressure and temperature in the bottle as P2 and T3, respectively. Now, the air state
becomes State III (P2, V2, T3). The process from State II to State III can be regarded as
an isochoric process. Again, T3 should reach T0 if the waiting time is long enough and
the ambient temperature is stabilized at T0. In practice, however, when the temperature
change tends to stop, we can assume T3T0, and the resulting error on the experimental
results is negligible. Now T0=T1=T3, so State III can be written as (P2, V2, T1).

From State I to State II is an adiabatic process, so we have:

= (3)

State I and State III have the same temperature T1, so we have:

3
 P1V1  P2V2 (4)

By taking logarithmic operation of (3) and then substituting the volume ratio from (4), we get:

(5)
It is apparent from Equation (5) that the air specific heat ratio can be derived by measuring P0,
P1, and P2. The schematic diagram of temperature measurement is shown in Figure 3 using an
AD590 as the temperature sensor.

Figure 3 Schematic of temperature measurement using AD590 sensor

A standard 5 k resistor and a 6 VDC voltage source are built in the electric unit. Connecting
AD590 temperature sensor with the 6 VDC power supply creates a stable current flow source
with a temperature sensitivity of 1 A/°C; while by connecting the 5 k resistor in series with
the AD590 sensor and source, an current-to-voltage converter is achieved with a temperature
sensitivity of 5 mV/°C. Using a 4-1/2 digit voltmeter to measure this signal, the temperature
sensitivity can be 0.02 °C. If U represents the voltage in unit of mV, the measured temperature
in unit of degrees Celsius is:

U
T  273 (6)
5

3. Apparatus Structure and Specifications

1) This apparatus consists of four items: an electric unit, an air container bottle, and two
sensors (one integrated current-type temperature sensor AD590 and one diffused Silicon
pressure sensor). A photo of the setup is shown in Figure 4.

4
 Figure 4 Photo of air specific heat ratio apparatus

2) Key specifications:

a) Air container bottle: glass bottle of 10 liters, including air inlet and outlet valves and
rubber plug.

b) Digital voltmeters: a 3-1/2 digit voltmeter for silicon pressure sensor, a 4-1/2 digit
voltmeter for integrated temperature sensor.

c) Diffused silicon pressure sensor: 0 ~ 10 kPa (range), 20 mV/kPa (sensitivity), and 5 Pa

(precision). In this experiment, the variation range of air pressure in the bottle is about 6
kPa.

d) Current-type integrated temperature sensor AD590: 1 μA/°C (sensitivity).

4. Precautions

1) In the experiment, do not press the silicon pressure sensor with hands, as otherwise the
accuracy of any measurement would be compromised.

2) If there is a leak in the glass valve inlet, clean the grease in the affected area using ether

5
 and re-apply vacuum grease to the valve.

3) If there is a leak between the rubber plug and the mouth of the glass bottle or the glass
tube, apply 704 silicone rubber sealant.

4) If multiple sets are purchased, do not swap electric units among setups and always keep
the electric unit with the corresponding container sharing the same part number in one
setup.

5. Experimental Contents

1) Measure the specific heat capacity ratio of air at constant volume and constant pressure
2) Observe thermodynamic process of air
3) Learn how to measure gas pressure and temperature using related sensors.

6. Experimental Procedures

1) Refer to Figures 1 and 5 to set up the apparatus. Warning: ensure to connect the
positive (red)/negative(black) poles of the AD590 correctly, as incorrect wiring could
damage the sensor.

2) Use the multifunctional barometer to measure the atmospheric pressure P0 and monitor
the ambient room temperature T0. Turn on the power of the electric unit, preheat for 20
minutes. Zero the voltmeter display of pressure measurement.

3) Close valve C2 and open valve C1. Pump some quantity of air into the container bottle
using the rubber ball. Watch the change in pressure and temperature on the two meters.
Wait for the pressure and temperature in the container bottle to get stabilized (close to
ambient temperature), record the voltage values of pressure P1 ' and temperature T1 ' (the
corresponding pressure and temperature are P1 and T1, respectively).

4) Quickly open valve C2 to reduce the air pressure in the bottle to the ambient
atmospheric pressure P0 , then close C2 immediately. Now, the air temperature in the

bottle drops to T2 .

5) The air temperature in the bottle will increase gradually. Wait for the voltage value of
the temperature meter to get stabilized at T1 '' (i.e. temperature reaches to the ambient

6
 temperature again, so T1 '' should be very close to T1 ' . Now, record the voltage values

of pressure and temperature as P2 ' (corresponding pressure P2) and T1 '' , respectively.

6) Finally, calculate the air specific heat ratio  per Equation (5).

Notes:

1) In Step 4), after opening valve C2, when the sound of air release disappears, quickly
close the valve. Closing valve C2 too early or too late will affect the experimental
results and introduces errors.

2) The experiment requires an environment with stable and constant ambient temperature.
Do not place the setup close to a window or under the sun light.

3) After sealing any leak, wait for the sealant to dry before doing experiment.

4) It takes a long time for air in the bottle to return to room temperature after pumping and
releasing process during which the room temperature must maintain at a stable value.

7. Example of Data Recording and Processing

Note: the following data are for reference purposes only, not the criteria for apparatus performance.

The sensitivity of the pressure meter is 20 mV/1000 Pa. If pressure and voltage are represented
in units of 1105 Pa and mV, respectively; then P1  P0  P1' / 2000 and P2  P0  P2' / 2000 . By

using Equation (5), the specific heat ratio of air was derived with the experimental results
shown in the table below:

P0 ( 10 5 Pa ) P1 ' (mV) T1 ' (mV) P2 ' (mV) T1 '' (mV) P1 ( 10 5 Pa ) P2 ( 10 5 Pa ) 

108.4 1478.5 25.8 1474.8 1.0713 1.0300 1.32

106.1 1477.8 29.3 1475.2 1.0702 1.0318 1.39

1.0171
111.1 1478.2 33.9 1477.9 1.0727 1.0341 1.45

116.9 1478.9 28.4 1476.1 1.0756 1.0313 1.33

The average value of  is 1.373, whereas the theoretical value is  =1.402, leading to an error
of 2.1%.

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8. Part List

No. Name Qty

1 Electric unit 1

2 Rubber ball with tube 1

3 10 L glass bottle with sensors and wires 1

4 Multi-function barometer/thermometer 1

5 Power cord 1

6 Instructional manual 1