19th Annual Student Research Conference
Science
Examination, Reproduction, and Improvement of Joule's Free-Expansion Experiment
David T. Shane
Dr. Mohammad Samiullah, Faculty Mentor
In 1843, Joule performed an experiment in which he tried to measure a temperature change following the free-expansion of a gas. Joule expected and detected no change. Today, with improved thermometry and other apparatus and techniques that allow us to measure the temperature directly, a similar experiement can be performed, this time with detection of the temperature drop we now know should take place. This talk will examine the work of Joule as reported in his own paper, and detail our own ongoing theoretical and experimental work in our attempt to reproduce and improve his experiment.
Keywords: joule, free-expansion, gas, thermodynamics, history, temperature, thermometry, propane
Topic(s):Physics
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 25-3
Location: VH 1416
Time: 10:15