Project's Complete Elimination of Temperature Absolutely Zilch
All You Need is Some Glassware, a Heat Gun, and a Laser: Estimating Absolute Zero in a Simple Lab Setup
Curious about determining absolute zero? Contrary to what you may think, you don't need a high-tech setup with lasers and liquid helium. Markus Bindhammer has showed us an innovative method using common lab equipment to estimate absolute zero.
In a video, Markus shares his unique approach using the laws of thermodynamics, simple lab glassware, a heat gun, and a laser time-of-flight sensor. Unlike complex physics experiments, this method is straightforward and within reach for anyone interested in exploring thermodynamics.
To gather the required data, Marb, the experimenter, used a 50-ml glass syringe and a heat gun. Across from the plunger of the syringe, he placed a VL6180 laser sensor. As the air within the syringe expanded when heated, the sensor measured the displacement of the plunger.
The data collected from the TOF sensor and the thermocouple were recorded by a microcontroller, allowing the experimenter to plot the volume of the gas versus the temperature. The linear relationship in the plot can be used to calculate the temperature at which the volume of the gas would be zero. Marb's experiment resulted in an estimate of -268.82°C which is only a few degrees off from the accepted value of -273.15°C.
Marb has been pushing boundaries with science projects, as shown in his open-source blood glucose measurement method and his all-in-one electrochemistry lab.
Here's a rough idea of what you'll need for the experiment:
- Lab Glassware: A vacuum-insulated flask or Dewar flask can help minimize heat transfer and maintain low temperatures.
- Heat Gun: Evaporate a liquid (like nitrogen or carbon dioxide) to remove heat from the setup.
- Laser Time-of-Flight Sensor: This device measures distance and can be used to note changes in material properties as temperature changes.
Follow these steps to conduct the experiment:
- Preparation: Use a substance with a known boiling point for calibration. Place the substance in the lab glassware, making sure it's insulated.
- Calibration with Known Temperatures: Calibrate the sensor to detect changes in material dimensions related to temperature changes.
- Cooling and Measurement: Use the heat gun to evaporate a liquid, absorbing heat and cooling the setup. Use the laser sensor to measure changes in the setup as it cools.
- Estimating Absolute Zero: Extrapolate the cooling curve observed during the experiment to estimate the point where all molecular motion would theoretically cease (absolute zero).
- Challenges and Considerations: Achieving temperatures close to absolute zero with simple equipment is challenging, and the setup will likely not reach anywhere near absolute zero. Ensure safe handling of cold substances and heat guns.
This experiment is a great way to explore thermodynamic principles and the behavior of materials at low temperatures. Although you won't reach absolute zero with this setup, it's a fun exploration of the theoretical limit that remains intriguing to scientists.
Incorporating science and Do-It-Yourself (DIY) principles, thehealth-and-wellness field now offers a scientific exploration involving simple glassware, heat guns, and a Laser Time-of-Flight sensor for measuring absorption of heat and extrapolating the theoretical temperature of absolute zero. Furthermore, this approach to estimating absolute zero can be expanded to explore various therapies-and-treatments in the realm of health-and-wellness, including expanding the understanding of material behavior at low temperatures, contributing to general scientific knowledge.
