Answer to Question #118982 in Physics for Susan Williams

Question

State Boyle's law, and describe an experiment using a glass tube of uniform cross sectional area in the form of a letter J sealed at the shorter end to verify it. Mention one of the limitations of this method

Answer 1

Boyle's law states: if the mass and temperature of gas is unchanged, the product of pressure and volume of the gas is a constant:

$$PV=\text{const}.$$

Boyle took of a J-shaped glass tube with the shorter end closed, poured mercury in the tube unless its reaches equilibrium level on the left and right sides. The pressure in the clogged end is equal to the atmospheric pressure. Then Boyle added more mercury in the open end and measured the new volume in the closed end. He could calculate the additional pressure and tie it with the new volume and the previous state of the gas.

The temperature should not change during the experiment.