Boyle’s Law- J-Tube
Description: Video examining the relation between gas volume and pressure. Shows the addition of mercury metal to a J-shaped tube decreases the volume of air inside the tube. The direct relationship of Boyle’s law is shown.
This demonstration is also available on JCE “Chemistry Comes Alive!” Vol. 2 CD-Rom.
Source: JCE Videos “Chemistry Comes Alive!”
Year: 1999 Vol: 2 Page: 1311
Keywords: Boyle’s Law, J-Tube, Air volume, Gas, Mercury
Rating: 
Hazard: High if done in person
- Aquatic toxicity hazard
- Acute toxicity hazard
- Inhalation hazard
- Central nervous system toxicity hazard
- Reproductive toxicity hazard
- Electric shock hazard
Effectiveness: Good
- Good connection from demo to course material
- Low failure rate
- Time to results is low
- Effects are observable with guidance
- Mild effects are seen by audience
Difficulty: Medium
- Handling of mercury liquid
- Some intermediate steps to results
- Sequential manipulations required
- Avoid exposure to vapor
- Demos in which toxic reagents in use
- Demos in which a display is used
Safety Precautions:
- Secondary spill containment required
- Mercury spill kit on hand
- Perform in a well-ventilated area
- Avoid exposure to vapors
- Gloves required
- Eye protection required
- Prevent release of reagents to the environment
- Use UL approved three-prong plug and outlet
Class: Physical Chemistry, Gas Laws
Division: General
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