Code Number: 4B70.36

Demo Title: Adiabatic Gas Law - Compress Butane

Condition: Excellent

Principle: Adiabatic expansion and compression

Area of Study: Thermodynamics

Equipment:

Butane refill cartridge, 60 cc syringe, rubber feet cushions.

Procedure:

NOTE: This demonstration is best done in a small class where the students can come and observe the syringe compression directly.

Fill the syringe with butane from the refill cartridge. Quickly cover the tip so that the butane does not escape and place the tip onto the rubber foot pad. Compress the gas in the syringe and observe it turn to a liquid at the bottom of the syringe.

References:

Borislaw Bilash II, David Maiullo, "Refrigerants Are Cool Gases", A Demo A Day: A Year of Physics Demonstrations, p. 233.

Disclaimer

These demonstrations are provided only for illustrative use by persons affiliated with The University of Iowa and only under the direction of a trained instructor or physicist. The University of Iowa is not responsible for demonstrations performed by those using their own equipment or who choose to use this reference material for their own purpose. The demonstrations included here are within the public domain and can be found in materials contained in libraries, bookstores, and through electronic sources. Performing all or any portion of any of these demonstrations, with or without revisions not depicted here entails inherent risks. These risks include, without limitation, bodily injury (and possibly death), including risks to health that may be temporary or permanent and that may exacerbate a pre-existing medical condition; and property loss or damage. Anyone performing any part of these demonstrations, even with revisions, knowingly and voluntarily assumes all risks associated with them.

Instructional Resources and Lecture Demonstrations

4B70.36 - Adiabatic Gas Law - Compress Butane

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