Mottmann1 described an excellent way to measure the ratio of specific heats for air by suddenly compressing a plastic 2-liter bottle. His arrangement can be simplified so that no valves are involved and only a single connection needs to be made. This is done by adapting the plastic cap of a 2-liter plastic bottle so it connects directly to a Vernier Software Gas Pressure Sensor2 and the LabPro3 interface.
REFERENCES
1.
J.
Mottmann
, “Laboratory experiment for the ratio of specific heats of air
,” Am J. Phys.
63
, 259
–260
(March 1995
).2.
Vernier Software; http://www.vernier.com, Item GPS-BTA.
3.
Vernier Software; http://www.vernier.com, Item LABPRO.
4.
Digi-Key; http://www.digikey.com, Item 738K-ND.
5.
Cole-Parmer; http://www.coleparmer.com, Item C-06405-02.
6.
Cole-Parmer; http://www.coleparmer.com, Item C-06359-31.
7.
D. F.
Krause
and W. J.
Keeley
. “Determining the heat capacity ratio for air from ‘almost adiabatic’ compressions
,” Phys. Teach.
42
, 481
–483
(Nov. 2004
).
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© 2007 American Association of Physics Teachers.
2007
American Association of Physics Teachers
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