ERIC Number: EJ1143071
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017-Jul
Pages: 6
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0031-9120
EISSN: N/A
Discovering the Gas Laws and Understanding the Kinetic Theory of Gases with an iPad App
Davies, Gary B.
Physics Education, v52 n4 Article 045005 Jul 2017
Carrying out classroom experiments that demonstrate Boyle's law and Gay-Lussac's law can be challenging. Even if we are able to conduct classroom experiments using pressure gauges and syringes, the results of these experiments do little to illuminate the kinetic theory of gases. However, molecular dynamics simulations that run on computers allow us to visualise the behaviour of individual particles and to link this behaviour to the bulk properties of the gas e.g., its pressure and temperature. In this article, I describe how to carry out "computer experiments" using a commercial molecular dynamics iPad app called Atoms in Motion. Using the app, I show how to obtain data from simulations that demonstrate Boyle's law and Gay-Lussac's law, and hence also the combined gas law.
Descriptors: Science Instruction, Science Experiments, Physics, Educational Technology, Technology Uses in Education, Handheld Devices, Telecommunications, Computer Oriented Programs, Molecular Structure, Kinetics, Visualization, Scientific Concepts, Motion, Foreign Countries
Institute of Physics Publishing. The Public Ledger Building Suite 929, 150 South Independence Mall West, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 215-627-0880; Fax: 215-627-0879; e-mail: info@ioppubusa.com; Web site: http://journals.iop.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United Kingdom
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A