What can the Transformers teach us about the Gas Laws? Part 3 of our May MCAS cram series!

What do we already know about gases??? More kinetic energy than liquids (and obviously more than solids). More kinetic energy = more temperature. More kinetic energy = more molecular collisions.

Can you handle the pressure??? More collisions against the inside of a container = more pressure. Pressure is how much force is acting upon a specific area. We usually measure it in atm (atmospheric pressure at sea level) SI unit is Pascal (Pa) 1 atm = 1.01 x 10 5 Pa

Size and temperature matter! The size of the container (also known as volume) are important for gas laws too. Get used to using Kelvin (K) for gas laws. It is easy, though. Just add 273 to °C! MCAS uses both units. The element/kind of gas doesn’t really matter, though. How many moles it has is more important.

Boyle’s Law, Part 1 This is Robert Boyle ( ). He was the father of modern chemistry. This is Blacker. He transforms into a road buggy. He keeps a little Blacker inside him just like you have little Robert Boyles inside you.

Boyle’s Law, Part 2 When temperature stays the same, pressure and volume are inversely proportional (If A goes up, B goes down). They are opposite to each other. More pressure, less volume. More volume, less pressure. Real life example: bicycle pumps.

Charles’ Law, Part 1 Charles’ Law was named after Jacques Charles ( ). He discovered it in 1787, but never published it. Joseph Louis Gay-Lussac published it in 1802 and named it in Charles’ honor. This is Braver. He transforms into a Ferrari F40. I have never seen a Ferrari with a laser cannon on its top before. Have you? Charles was quite the scientist, though. He invented the first hydrogen balloon in Our Ben Franklin watched its first flight!!!

Charles’ Law, Part 2 Charles found that temperature and volume are directly proportional (A goes up, B goes up). If one increases, the other increases at the same rate. Real life example: hot- air balloons.

Gay-Lussac’s Law, Part 1 Don’t feel bad for Joseph Louis Gay-Lussac ( ). He also has his own gas law! This is Laster. He transforms into a Lamborghini Countach. Hey, it’s a lot cooler than a French Peugeot. And faster. Gay-Lussac also co-discovered H 2 O and boron. He recognized Iodine as an element. His name is one of the 72 inscribed on the Eiffel Tower!

Gay-Lussac’s Law, Part 2 Pressure and temperature are directly proportional (A goes up, B goes up). If one increases, the other increases at the same rate. Real-life example: firing a gun. The volume stays the same. The temperature inside the gun increases and the pressure forces the bullet out. Thank Gay- Lussac the next time you go deer hunting.

Well, what’s with the Transformers? Watch and learn!!! Click on the 25-second video! Now watch what happens when all three gas laws do the same thing!!!

Road Caesar’s Law! Okay, its real name is the Combined Gas Law! Three gas laws combine to transform into a gas superlaw! Here is the formula (on the MCAS reference sheet): Various chemists combined the three gas laws into one. Road Caesar could have been be one of them. Who knows? Real world example: internal combustion engine (like real cars). So is that why we used Transformers that transform into automobiles? Yeah, probably. Engines take in air, heat it up, compress it, release the pressure, and use its force to move engine parts. The moving parts cause the automobiles to move. Thanks, Road Caesar!

MCAS Questions (Cram)