NCERT Solutions
Class 11 Physics
Thermal Properties of Matter

Q. 10.5
Two ideal gas thermometers A and B use oxygen and hydrogen respectively. The following observations are made:
Temperature Pressure thermometer A Pressure thermometer B
Triple-point of water 1.250 × 105 Pa 0.200 × 105Pa
Normal melting point 1.797 × 105 Pa 0.287 × 105 Pa
of sulphur
(a) What is the absolute temperature of normal melting point of sulphur as read by thermometers A and B?
(b) What do you think is the reason behind the slight difference in answers of thermometers A and B? (The thermometers are not faulty). What further procedure is needed in the experiment to reduce the discrepancy between the two readings?
Given:
Triple point of water, T = 273.16 K.
At this temperature, pressure in thermometer A, PA = 1.250 × 105 Pa
Let T1 be the normal melting point of sulphur.
At this temperature, pressure in thermometer A, P1 = 1.797 x 105 Pa
According to Charles’ law, we have the relation:
(PA/T) = (P1/T1)
Therefore, T1 = (P1T)/ (PA)
= (1.797 x 105) x 273.16)/ (1.250 × 105)
= 392.69 K
Therefore, the absolute temperature of the normal melting point of sulphur as thermometer A is 392.69 K.
At triple point 273.16 K, the pressure in thermometer B, PB = (0.200 × 105) Pa
At temperature T1, the pressure in thermometer B, P2 = (0.287 × 105) Pa
According to Charles’ law, we can write the relation:
(PB/T) = (P1/T1)
= (0.200 x 105)/ (273.16) = (0.287 x 105)/ (T1)
Therefore T1 = ((0.287 x 105)/ (0.200 x 105)) x (273.16)
Therefore, the absolute temperature of the normal melting point of sulphur as read by thermometer B is 391.98 K.
The oxygen and hydrogen gas present in thermometers A and B respectively are not perfect ideal gases. Hence, there is a slight difference between the readings thermometers A and B.
To reduce the discrepancy between the two readings, the experiment should be carried under low pressure conditions. At low pressure, these gases behave as perfect ideal gases.