Exciting Experiment with Flask and Burner
What happens when a glass flask containing 100 milliliters of water is sealed with a rubber stopper and placed on a burner?
Is this an example of a specific type of system?
a. Open system
b. Closed system
c. Isolated system
When a glass flask containing 100 milliliters of water is sealed with a rubber stopper and placed on a burner, gas condenses on the inside surface of the flask near the stopper.
Exploring Thermodynamic Systems
This experiment showcases a closed system in action. A thermodynamic system refers to the amount of matter confined by walls of a medium of interest. Anything beyond the system is considered the surrounding. In a closed system, there is no transfer of matter between the system and its surroundings.
By observing the condensation of gas in the glass flask, we can witness the principles of thermodynamic systems at work. The heat from the burner causes the water to evaporate, creating gas inside the flask. As the gas cools down near the stopper, it condenses back into liquid form, demonstrating a closed system where matter is contained within the flask.
This experiment not only illustrates scientific concepts but also provides valuable insights into the behavior of matter under different conditions. It encourages curiosity and exploration of thermodynamic principles in a hands-on and engaging way.
Next time you conduct an experiment, think about the system it represents and how matter interacts within that system.