7th February 2015

Experimental Chemistry
Topics covered:
Measuring volumes
Methods of Gas Collection

Page 1

Measurements in Chemistry
The following physical quantities are usually
measured when performing experimental
chemistry.
1.
2.
3.
4.

Volume
Temperature
Time
Mass

What are the SI unites of the above mentioned physical

quantities?
What apparatuses would you use to measure then?
Page 2

Measuring Volume of Liquids

The apparatus used depends on:

the

volume being measured

how

accurate the measurement needs to be

Common apparatus:

Measuring cylinder
Burette
Pipette
Beaker*
Conical flask*
*Beaker and Conical flask are for containing liquids,
they do not measure liquids accurately

Page 3

Measuring Volume of Liquids: Measuring Cylinder

Measuring or Graduated cylinder

Only used for measuring

approximate volumes.
Cannot be used for precise
volume measurements.

Accuracy of 1 cm3
used for mixing, containing or
Not
storing chemicals
What is the volume measured in the
oval above?
Page 4

Measuring Volume of Liquids: Bulb Pipette

Measures out precise

volumes.
EXACTLY(precisely)
20.0 cm3, 25.0 cm3 or
50.0 cm3
Used with a pipette filler
Page 5

Measuring Volume of Liquids: Burette

- Long scale: 0 cm3 to 50 cm3
Each graduation or
marking has an accuracy of
0.1 cm3
Reading error of 0.05 cm3

Page 6

Apparatus used for Experimental Chemistry

Heating a flammable liquid

THINK TANK: Why cant
we heat the test tube
directly over the flame?

Page 7

Apparatus used for Experimental Chemistry

Measuring change in mass during a chemical
reaction.
THINK TANK: Why
is cotton wool placed
at the mouth of the
conical flask?

Page 8

Apparatus used for Experimental Chemistry

Collecting and measuring a volume of gas

Page 9

Types of Gas Collection

Methods depends on the physical properties of the gas:
the solubility of the gas in water
the density of the gas compared to air

Page 10

Solubility & Density of Some Common Gases

Activity: Decide their method of collection
Gas

Solubility in water

Density compared to
air

ammonia

extremely soluble

less dense

carbon dioxide

slightly soluble

denser

chlorine

soluble

denser

hydrogen

not soluble

less dense

oxygen

very slightly soluble

slightly denser

sulfur dioxide

very soluble

denser

Page 11

Checklist for deciding method of gas collection

Solubility in water

Density compared
to air

Type of Gas
Collection

Soluble

less dense

Upward Delivery

Soluble

denser

Insoluble/slightly
soluble

less dense

Insoluble/slightly
soluble

denser

Downward
Delivery
Displacement of
Water
Displacement of
Water
Page 12

Collection of Gases: Dry Samples

Dry samples of gas can be obtained by passing the gas through a
drying agent. Drying agents have a great liking for water
molecules. Water must be removed from gases to obtain gas
samples of high purity and some chemical reactions tend to be
dangerous in presence of water or water vapor.

Drying agents must not react with the gas being dried.
Some common drying agents:
concentrated sulfuric acid

quicklime (calcium oxide)

Fused calcium chloride

Page 13

Concentrated Sulphuric acid Liquid Drying

Agent as Sulphuric acid is in liquid form
Concentrated sulfuric acid ( used for acidic gas
i.e. HCl gas, Hydrogen sulfide gas, H2S)

Page 14

Solid Drying Agents:

Quicklime & Fused Calcium Chloride
Quick lime aka Calcium oxide ( used for
alkaline gas i.e ammonia)
Fused calcium chloride ( used for general
gases like hydrogen and oxygen as it is neutral
in nature)

Page 15

Important Points to Take Note

If a gas is required DRY it must NOT be
collected over water.
A soluble gas must NOT be collected over
water.

16

Not sure of density of Gas?

Density of a gas is approximately equal to its relative
molecular mass, Mr;
Density of gases as compared to density of air can be
obtained by comparing the Mr of gases to that of air. The Mr of
air [a mixture] can be taken to be approximately equal to 29
[since air is about 20% oxygen and 80% nitrogen; Mr of air is
closer to that of nitrogen]
Example: find the density of carbon dioxide as compared to
air. Mr of CO2 = 12 + 2(16) = 44 , therefore CO2 is denser than
air.
17