Physics 213 Honors Assignment 1

 

This assignment has two parts:

1: Modifications to the Ideal Gas law:

·        Do some research on the 'corrections' to the Ideal gas law (Hint: van der Waals).

·                                Why do we need them? What impact do they have? Why can we often neglect them? (i.e., answer quantitatively for a particular gas. What % change they would make in a calculation around standard temperature and pressure?)

·                                Also, look up the constants 'b' for both a monatomic and a diatomic gas, and use the values to estimate the size of the atom and molecule.  Interpret your result.

·                                Try to relate to the concepts and calculations done in Physics 213.

 

2. Do some research and find out more about aerogel:

·        How is it made? What are its properties?

·                                What are its applications? (give a sample calculation, using the tools we learned in class; in particular, compare it [quantitatively] to more common 'insulators', like asbestos, fiberglass, etc.)

·                                What are the problems with widespread use?

·                                Try to relate to the concepts and calculations done in Physics 213.