TOPIC : Behavior of Gases

i)

Objective - To determine the molar mass of a vapor

ii)

Introduction In this experiment, volatile liquid is heated to a known temperature and the gas is allowed to escape from a container through a tiny orifice. Once the liquid has vaporized, the container is cooled to room temperature. Gradually the vapor which remained in the container at the higher temperature condenses to a liquid and is then massed. If the volume of the container is known along with the high temperature, the room pressure can be used (because the system is open to the atmosphere through the orifice) to calculate moles. From there a molar mass can be determined.

iii)

Apparatus and material a) b) c) d) e) f) g) h) i) j) k) l) m) Volatile unknown liquid Distilled water Rubber band Bunsen burner 100 mL Erlenmeyer flask 250 mL graduated cylinder Tripod stand Wire gauze Pins ( needle/map pins) 2-in. square of aluminium foil 500 mL beaker Balance Thermometer

iv)

Results 1. Mass of flask + cap + rubber band 2. Temperature of boiling water 3. Atmosphere pressure 4. Mass of flask + rubber band + cap + condensed vapour 5. Mass of condensed liquid 6. Volume of flask 7. Molar mass of vapor (show calculation )

= 67.90 g = 99 = 1 atm = 68.06 g = 0.16 g = 160 mL

mRT PV

M=

molar mass

m = 0.16 g R = 0.08206 L atm mol-1 K-1 . T = 99 P = 1 atm / 101.1 kPa V = 160 mL

= 0.16 g x 0.08206 Latmmol-1J-1 x ( 99

+ 273 )

30.625 g/mol.

v)

Discussion This experiment is to determine the molar mass of vapor. First of all, we need to place a small square of foil over the mouth of the flask, foil it loosely with rubber band and make a small hole . Then, we weighted the flask and its initial mass is recorded, 67.90 g. 300 mL of distilled water is heated in a beaker until it reached boiling point, 99 . Unknown volatile liquid is prepared when the water is starting to boil. We cannot prepare the unknown liquid too early because it will evaporate easily since it is volatile. Then, the Erlenmeyer flask that contained unknown volatile liquid inserted into the boiling water for about 4 minutes. We must control the temperature of the boiling water, which is 99 for that 4 minutes. Temperature must be constant in this experiment. After 4 minutes, the Erlenmeyer flask that contained condensed vapor is taken out to cool it down before weight it. We need to ensure that the flask is fully cooled down before weight it. Otherwise, it will affect the mass of the condensed vapor. After weight the flask + rubber band + cap + condensed vapor, we got 68.06 g for the mass. So, the mass of condensed liquid is 0.16 g. Furthermore, the volume of the flask is measured by pouring the water into 250 mL graduated cylinder. We got 160 mL for the volume. The molar mass is calculated by using this formula,

m = mRT
PV

M=

molar mass

m = mass of condensed liquid R = 0.08206 L atm mol-1 K-1 . T = Temperature of boiling water P = Pressure V = Volume of flask

vi)

Conclusion The experiment is successful. The molar mass of the unknown liquid is 30.625 g/mol. It is calculated by using this formula

m = mRT.

PV Lastly, it can be concluded that to find the unknown gas, we needed to follow the ideal gas behavior, that are high temperature and low pressure

vii)

Questions 1) If an insufficient amount of unknown liquid had been used, how would this have affected the value of the experimental molar mass ? This is because when the unknown liquid is heated and turned into vapor, it will not occupy the whole container. In the equation to find the molar mass (nRT)/PV, the volume will be greater than the actually volume of the unknown, thus leaving a molar mass that is less than the actual molar mass. So, the result is less accurate. 2) What are the major sources of error in your determination of molar mass? a) Inaccurate volume measurement The volume of liquid must be exactly 2 mL. 250 mL of graduated cylinder is used to measure the volume of the unknown liquid. If the volume is not accurate, either more or less than 2 mL, it will affect the result obtain. Hole punched on the aluminium foil is too big. We must punch a single hole on the aluminium foil with a needle as small as we can. If the hole is smaller, the vapor that escaped will be in smaller quantity.

b) -

c) -

The unknown liquid is not handled correctly The liquid must be measured and prepared when the water almost reached the boiling point. If the liquid is exposed even in a short time, it will evaporate easily since the unknown liquid is very volatile. So, when the water almost reached boiling point, go, measure and prepare the unknown liquid. After measuring it, immediately cover the Erlenmeyer flask with the aluminium foil and tight it with rubber band and ensure that it is tight. This is to prevent excess vapor from escaping from other hole. Inaccurate weight measurement There is some error occur during weighting the mass of flask, cap, rubber band and condensed vapor. We must make sure that the balance is 0.00 g before we weight it. There must be slightly some errors occur due to external factors. Inaccurate temperature reading The temperature must be taken when the water is boiling by using a thermometer. Then, during the Erlenmeyer flask is inserted into the boiling water, we must ensure that the temperature is always constant for about 4 minutes. ( Boiling water temperature, 99 ).

d) -

e) -

3)

If the flask is not thoroughly wiped dry, how would this affect the molar mass ? Since the flask is not thoroughly wiped dry, there must be slightly amount of water that still remained. Besides that, the water will contribute to the total mass of the flask with the vapor, thus the molar mass of the vapor will also be higher than it supposed to be.

4)

Isobutyl alcohol has a boiling point of 108 . How would you modify the procedure used in this experiment to determine its molar mass ? Since isobutyl alcohol has a boiling point higher than water, water can not be as the hot-bath liquid. So, ethylene glycol will be added to raise the boiling point of the water, or use another liquid such as oil.

viii ) Reference

Books Cotton, F. A. & Wilkinson, G. (1988).Advanced Inorganic Chemistry (5th ed.) New York: John Wiley & Sons. Emsley, J. (1998). The Elements (3rd ed.). Oxford: Clarendon Press. Heiserman, D. L. (1992).Exploring Chemical Elements and their Compounds.New York: TAB Books. Windholz, M. (1983).The Merck Index (10th ed.). Rahway: Merck & Co. Inc.

Internet http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molar_mass http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/General_Chemistry/Behaviour_of_Gase s http://www.scribd.com/doc/94261/The-Behaviour-of-Gases

Contents

Subject
i) ii) iii) iv) v) vi) vii) viii) Objectives Introduction Apparatus and Material Results Discussion Conclusions Questions References

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