Volume / Temperature = Volume / Temperature
This is a direct relationship -- this link describes quite a bit:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles%27s_law
Click on the animation to the right to view a full-sized animation.
CAUTION: There cannot be any negative or zero values for temperature, so this relationship must be solved using Kelvins!
Remember, absolute zero is -273 degrees Celsius -- it's the temperature at which particle motion stops.
Kelvin temperature = Celsius temperature + 273
Here's one example of a laboratory:
I had access to large, plastic buckets in one school which made it easier to submerge the flask in the cold water bath. I didn't put glass medicine dropper valves in the stoppers, we just put our fingers of the hole in the stopper.
Here's a stopper size chart for several sizes of Erlenmeyer flask (just ignore the Product Numbers):
http://www.phytotechlab.com/pdf/FlaskStopperGuide.pdf
You can make a graph and extrapolate to absolute zero. My students only had two points and many would miss -273 degrees Celsius, but it was exciting when we got close!
I found a simple laboratory procedure:
http://www.newwestinghouse.org/ourpages/auto/2011/5/4/41324522/Charles_s%20Law%20Lab.pdf
Here is a video of a sample mathematical solution for Charles' Law:
http://www.kentchemistry.com/links/GasLaws/charles.htm
And here is a worksheet of 5 problems with answers:
http://mmsphyschem.com/chuckL.pdf
Please let me know about your experiences, ask if you have any questions or if you have ideas for other topics for this blog.
And, check out my lab book "Chemistry on a Budget" at:
http://www.amazon.com/Chemistry-Budget-Marjorie-R-Heesemann/dp/0578129159/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1389410170&sr=1-1&keywords=chemistry+on+a+budget
I hope you're having a good week!