Determining Surrounding Atmospheric Pressure Using The Van der Waals Gas Approach in Boyle^s Law Experiments
Ratu Fenny Muldiani (a), Kunlestiowati Hadiningrum (b), Defrianto Pratama (c*), Nani Yuningsih (d), I Gede Rasagama (e), Yunita Citra Dewi(e), Achda Fitriah(e)

(a) Energy Conversion Engineering, Politeknik Negeri Bandung, Indonesia
(b) Chemical Engineering, Politeknik Negeri Bandung, Indonesia
(c) Electrical Engineering, Politeknik Negeri Bandung, Indonesia
*defrianto.pratama[at]polban.ac.id
(d) Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineering, Politeknik Negeri Bandung, Indonesia
(e) Mechanical Engineering, Politeknik Negeri Bandung, Indonesia

Abstract

Boyle^s Law, which describes the inverse relationship between gas pressure and volume at constant temperature, is a key principle in the study of ideal gases. However, real gases do not always conform to these ideal gas assumptions. This study seeks to achieve a more precise measurement of external air pressure by employing the Van der Waals gas equation in experiments involving Boyle^s Law. Pressure measurements from air columns trapped in U-tubes were analyzed using both the ideal gas model and the Van der Waals model. The findings show that the Van der Waals model offers a more accurate estimate of external air pressure, with a relative error of 0.40%, whereas the ideal gas model shows a relative error of 10.19%. Consequently, using the Van der Waals equation is recommended for Boyle^s Law experiments to enhance the accuracy of the results.

Keywords: Boyle^s Law- Ideal Gas- Van der Waals- Atmospheric Pressure-

Topic: Energy engineering