Topic 3.2 - Lesson 1

Modeling a Gas

For Topic 3.2, students will explain the conditions required for a gas that is behaving "ideally." In this video, we create an initial simulation that will allow us to modify our system until the gas is behaving ideally.

You will know if you have successfully modeled an idea gas when the particles have a more or less constant average, non-zero velocity.

• Download Algodoo

Now that we've put the simulation together, let's do some data analysis. The video on the right will show you some techniques that you can apply in Microsoft Excel (or Google Sheets). Note that access to Microsoft Office is a course requirement.

Lesson 2

In Lesson 2, we look at the relationships between temperature, pressure, and volume for an ideal gas. 

After the lecture is complete, we will investigate these relationships with an in-class experiment. The exercises handout will be continued in the next class.

• Experiment Handout