1) The densities of air at −85°C, 0°C, and 100°C are 1.877 g dm−3, 1.294 g dm−3, and 0.946 g dm−3, respectively. From these data, and assuming that air obeys Charles’s law, determine a value for the absolute zero of temperature in degrees Celsius.2) A certain sample of a gas has a volume of 20.00 dm3 at 0°C and 1.000 atm. A plot of the experimental data of its volume against the Celsius temperature, θ, at constant p, gives a straight line of slope 0.0741 dm3 (°C)−1. From these data alone (without making use of the perfect gas law), determine the absolute zero of temperature in degrees Celsius.

1) The absolute zero temperature is -272.74 °C

2) The absolute zero temperature is -269.91°C

Explanation:

1) The specific volume of air at the given temperatures are;

At -85°C, v =  1/(1.877) = 0.533 dm³/g, the pressure =

At 0°C, v = 1/1.294 ≈ 0.773 dm³/g

At 100°C, v = 1/0.946 ≈ 1.057 dm³/g

We therefore have;

v₁ = 0.533T₁ = 188.15  K

v₂ = 0.773T₂ = 273.15  K

v₃ = 1.057T₃ = 373.15  K

The slope of the graph formed by the above data is therefore given as follows;

m = (1.057 - 0.533)/(373.15 - 188.5) = 0.00284 dm³/K

The equation is therefor;

v - 0.533 = 0.00284×(T - 188.15)

v = 0.00284×T - 0.534 + 0.533  = 0.00284×T - 0.001167

v =  0.00284×T - 0.001167

Therefore, when the temperature, at absolute 0, we have;

v = 0

Which gives;

0 =  0.00284×T - 0.001167

0.00284×T = 0.001167

T = 0.001167/0.00284 ≈ 0.411 K

Which is 0.411  -273.15 ≈ -272.74 °C

The absolute zero temperature is -272.74 °C

2) The given volume of the gas = 20.00 dm³ at 0°C and 1.000 atm

The slope of the volume temperature graph at constant pressure = 0.0741 dm³/(°C)

The temperature is converted to Kelvin temperature, in order to apply Charles law as follows;

0°C = 0 + 273.15 K = 273.15 K

Therefore, the equation of the graph can be presented as follows;

v - 20.00 = 0.0741 × (T - 273.15)

Which gives;

v = 0.0741·T - 0.0741 ×(273.15) + 20

v = 0.0741·T - 20.2404125 + 20

v = 0.0741·T - 0.240415

Therefore at absolute 0, v = 0, we have;

0 = 0.0741·T - 0.240415

0.0741·T = 0.240415

T = 0.240415/0.0741 = 3.2445 K

The temperature in degrees is therefore;

3.2445 K - 273.15 ≈ -269.91°C

The absolute zero temperature is therefore, -269.91°C