The TI-CBL and TI-85

The program below, PRESS, is used by your TI-85 together with the TI-CBL to make and record pressure readings. If your workstation has a TI-Graph Link cable and the appropriate software installed then you can download the program from this computer to the calculator. Otherwise you can transfer the program from your instructor's TI-85 using a linking cable or as a last resort type it in.

After you've entered the program into your TI-85, connect the TI-85 to the CBL using the linking cable and plug the cable from the pressure sensor into the channel 1 port of the CBL. Make sure that the TI-CBL is turned on. Run the program PRESS. You should see the screen below.

Missing TI-85 screen

Now set the plunger at 20 cubic centimeters. Then open and close the pressure release valve. For the remainder of this experiment the pressure release valve should remain closed. You should see the READY indicator on the TI-CBL and also see a pressure reading. Now press the TRIGGER key on the TI-CBL. It will make one pressure reading that will be recorded by the TI-85. You should see the following screen on the TI-85.

Missing TI-85 screen

Follow the instructions -- set the plunger at 19 cubic centimeters and then press the TRIGGER key on the TI-CBL. It will make one pressure reading that will be recorded by the TI-85.

Continue in this way, making and recording a series of pressure measurements with the volume = 20, 19, 18, 17, ... 5.

When you are done collecting the data there will be two lists in your TI-85. The first list L1 contains the volumes -- 20, 19, ... 5 and the second list L2 contains the corresponding pressure measurements. You can examine these readings as shown in the screen below.

Missing TI-85 screen

You can use this same basic set up for other experiments. Notice that before you press the trigger key on the CBL it is displaying the pressure readings. Without changing the program you can use the CBL as a pressure meter to do experiments of your own design.