BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY

College of Engineering, Architecture, Fine Arts

Gov. Pablo Borbon Campus II, Alangilan, Batangas City, Philippines 4200
www.batstate-u.edu.ph Telefax: (043) 300-4404 locs. 106-118

CHEMICAL AND FOOD ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

ChE 306 – Chemical Engineering Calculations 2

Experiment No. 1
Combustion Experiment

INTRODUCTION

In this experiment, we are going to demonstrate the relationship between the volume and
temperature of a gas kept at constant pressure. We are going to be putting in practice Charles’
Law. It dictates that when the temperature of a gas is increased at constant pressure, its volume
increases. When the temperature of a gas is decreased at constant pressure, its volume decreases.
In other words, Charles’ Law explains that as a gas is heated up it would expand, and as a gas is
cooled down it would contract.

OBJECTIVES

 To determine the relationship of temperature with volume and density at a constant

pressure.
 To determine the relationship of pressure and temperature at constant number of moles.
 To study the principle of Charle’s Law.

MATERIALS

 Clear glass
 Candle
 Matchsticks
 Plate (concave)
 Water
 Dye (any color)

PROCEDURES

1. Pour the (colored) water into the plate.

2. Place the candle im the middle of the plate.
3. Light the candle carefully using matchsticks.
4. Place the glass upside down on the plate.
5. Observe.
DISCUSSION OF RESULTS

The flame heated the air inside the container and the hot air expanded quickly. Some of
the expanding air escaped from under the glass, where the bubbles appeared. When the flame
faded and went out, the air in the container cooled and cooler air contracts or takes up less space.
That contraction creates a lower pressure inside the container.The higher pressure was at the
outside of the container pressing down on the water in the dish. The outside air pushes water
into the container until the pressure is equalized inside and outside the container. The water stops
rising when that pressure equalization is reached.

CONCLUSION

In this experiment, two things happen. Air is made up of a mixture of invisible gases.
One of these gases is oxygen. Fire uses oxygen to stay lighted. When the flame uses up all the
oxygen inside the glass, it goes out. The lack of oxygen lowers the pressure inside the glass. The
higher pressure outside the glass pushes the water from the plate up and into the glass. Once the
pressure on the inside of the glass is equal to the pressure on the outside of the glass the water
stops rising.

The second thing that happens is the flame heats the air inside the glass. This causes the
air molecules to expand. When the flame goes out, the air inside the glass cools. The cooler air
contracts which means that it takes up less space. This contraction pulls the water from outside
into the glass.

RECOMMENDATION

It is better to use darker food coloring or food dye for the movement of the water to be
seen easily. To make sure everything will fit, place the container or glass over the candle and
into the water. Make sure its base is well above the candle wick and its top edge is submerged
under the water.
DOCUMENTATION

Pouring of the colored water into a Placing the candle in the middle of
concave plate. the plate.

Lighting of the candle with a Placing of the glass upside down on

matchstick. the plate.

After some time, the candle dims and goes out.

Just before the candle dies, the water level rises to almost 1/10th of pitcher’s height.