EQUIPMENT
    Mercury/Glass Chips Tube
    Projector
   



NARRATIVE
              When using the Mercury/Glass Chips Tube under heat, the glass chips will be violently agitated, thus representing the motion of the molecules in an ideal gas. Clamp the tube to a stand and position it before the last lens of the large, horizontal projector so that the motion may be projected. DO NOT apply EXCESSIVE heat as this will melt the tube.

              The older method consists of small steel balls in a clear plastic cylinder with a mass less piston above. The balls, which represent gas molecules, are given energy by a variable speed rotating disk. As the speed is increased, analogous to increasing temperature, the pressure of the "molecules" on the piston increases, lifting the piston. The cylinder is illuminated for easy viewing of the "molecules". At high speed the balls may become charged so a high voltage spark may be passed through them to discharge the steel balls. Be sure that the device is grounded.