Physical Properties of Matter: Experiment

Experiment 2
Physical Properties of Matter

Introduction
Chemistry, in definition, is the science that deals with the composition, and properties of
matter. Composition refers to the parts or components of a sample of matter and their relative
proportion while properties are those qualities or attributes that we can use to distinguish one
sample of matter from others. Properties can be categorized as physical or chemical.
Physical properties can be observed without changing the composition of the substance.
These properties include color, odor, density, melting point, boiling point, and hardness.
Chemical properties can only be observed during a chemical reaction. A common chemical
property is flammability - the ability of a substance to burn in the presence of oxygen.
Properties can also be classified as intensive or extensive. Intensive properties do not

depend on the amount of sample being examined (e.g. density, melting point, boiling point).
These are particularly useful in chemistry because many intensive properties can be used to
identify substance. On the other hand. extensive properties depend on the amount of sample
(e.g. mass and volume).
GAS
A sample of matter can be a solid, liquid, or gas.

A change in state can happen when there is enough H
heat energy for individual molecules to overcome e
a
their attraction for each other. The physical state of a t
substance is dependent on the temperature and
pressure (Figure 2.1). For example, water can exist e
as solid ice at temperature below 0°C and as gaseous n
steam above 100°C. Usually, a plot of the temperature e
LIQUID
r
versus time, known as a heating curve, is constructed g
to show how the state of a substance changes as heat y
is added at a constant rate (Figure 2.2).
SOLID
Figure 2.1. Three States of Matter
Figure 2.2. Heating curve for water

(Temperature versus Time)
1
Objectives
At the end of this experiment, you should be able to:

1. Observe the different states of matter and the change in state it undergoes;
2. Assemble a simple distillation set-up;
3. Determine the boiling point of a known and unknown liquid;
4. Determine the melting point of a known solid;
5. Interpret the boiling point and melting point of liquid and solid from the temperature
versus time graph, respectively; and
6. Develop further the laboratory skills and techniques.
Materials and Apparatus
50 mL distilling flask cork evaporating dish

iron stand (3 pcs) cork borer crucible tongs
iron ring glass tubing boiling chips
wire gauze triangular file Isopropyl alcohol
Bunsen burner rubber tubing (3 pcs) Sulfur powder
thermometer (210°C max) 250 mL Erlenmeyer flask Oil
utility clamp (3 pcs) 250 mL beaker Iodine crystal
condenser w/ adapter test tube (10-15 mL) ice
Experimental Procedure
A. DETERMINATION OF BOILING POINT OF A LIQUID
Caution: For safety and accuracy of results: (1) Make sure that the distillation set-up is
properly checked for possible connection leaks and other errors; (2) Isopropyl alcohol is
flammable; keep away from direct flames.
1. Measure 25 mL of isopropyl alcohol and transfer it into a 50 mL distilling flask. Record

the initial temperature of the liquid. Add a few boiling chips to the distilling flask to be
ready for distillation.
2. Assemble the distillation set-up as shown in Figure 2.3. Show the set-up to your
instructor for inspection.
3. Gently heat the set-up with a Bunsen burner. When the liquid begins to boil, record the
temperature every 30 seconds until the flask is almost dry.
4. Transfer the collected distillate into a clean container, label properly, and return to the
instructor.
5. Make temperature versus time graph using your data with time on the x-axis and
temperature on the y-axis. Determine the boiling point of the liquid based on the graph.
6. Look online for the theoretical boiling point of isopropyl alcohol (note the temperature)
and compare it to the boiling point you obtained experimentally. Calculate the percent
error.
7. Obtain an unknown liquid to your instructor. Determine the boiling point of the
unknown liquid by following the steps above.
2
Figure 2.3. A simple distillation set-up
B. DETERMINATION OF MELTING POINT OF A SOLID
1. Place about 0.5 g of sulfur powder into

a dry test tube. Clamp the test tube
vertically into the oil bath. See to it that
the solid is below the oil level. Hang thermometer
the thermometer into the test tube such
that it is covered by the solid and does
not touch the sides and bottom of the
test tube (see Figure 2.4).
2. Heat the oil bath gradually using a
test tube
Bunsen burner. Stir the oil bath from
time to time so that the heat is oil
uniformly distributed. sample
3. Take temperature readings at one-
minute intervals until the solid has
completely liquefied, and two more
minutes thereafter.
8. Make temperature versus time graph
using your data with time on the x-axis
and temperature on the y-axis.
Determine the melting point of the Figure 2.4. Oil-bath set-up
solid based on the graph.
9. Look online for the theoretical melting point of sulfur and compare it to the melting
point you obtained experimentally. Calculate the percent error.
3
C. HEATING IODINE CRYSTALS (As a class)
1. Put 3 small crystals of iodine in a dry 250 mL beaker. Take note its physical appearance.
2. Cover the beaker using an evaporating dish containing ice. Support the beaker on a ring
stand then gently heat the crystals until all the iodine vaporizes (see Figure 2.5).
3. Using a crucible tongs, hold the hot evaporating dish and observe the crystals deposited
on the bottom of the dish. Take note its physical appearance.
ice
250 mL beaker
Iodine crystals
Figure 2.5. Sublimation/deposition set-up
Guide Questions:
1. Interpret the graphs obtained in Part A and B. What changes occur at the different
regions of the graph?
2. What kind of properties are boiling point and melting point?
3. Which of these properties may be used to identify a sample of matter? Why?
4. Is one property sufficient to establish the identity of the substance?
5. In Part A, what is the purpose of the boiling chip when determining the boiling point of
a liquid?
6. In Part B, can we replace oil-bath set-up with water bath when determining the melting
point of sulfur powder?
7. In Part C, is heating iodine crystals a physical or chemical change? Provide evidence.
8. What safety precautions must be observed in this experiment?

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Experiment 2

Physical Properties of Matter

Properties can also be classified as intensive or extensive. Intensive properties do not

A sample of matter can be a solid, liquid, or gas.

Figure 2.1. Three States of Matter

Figure 2.2. Heating curve for water

At the end of this experiment, you should be able to:

Materials and Apparatus

50 mL distilling flask cork evaporating dish

A. DETERMINATION OF BOILING POINT OF A LIQUID

1. Measure 25 mL of isopropyl alcohol and transfer it into a 50 mL distilling flask. Record

B. DETERMINATION OF MELTING POINT OF A SOLID

1. Place about 0.5 g of sulfur powder into

Figure 2.5. Sublimation/deposition set-up

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