Molar Mass of a Volatile Liquid

Claudee Khiarra R. Directo

Jarett Carlo B. Ferrer
Omar Mukhtar Y. Julkipli
Charlene Q. Rabulan
Clint Aldrin A. Valencia
CPE/1 – B12
Electrical, Electronics, and Computer Engineering (EECE) Department
Mapúa University

Rommel Galvan, BSChE, MSIT, MSChE, PhDChE

Instructor, General Chemistry (CM011L)

August 2018

Table of Contents
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MOLAR MASS OF A VOLATILE LIQUID
Abstract……………………………………………………………………………………...…….3

Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………......4

Methods……………………………………………………………………………………...…….5

Results…………………………………………………………………………..………….....….13

Discussions…………………………………………………………………………..…….....….15

Conclusions…………………………………………………………………………………...….16

Appendices………………………………………………………...……………………….....….17

References………………………………………………………...…….………………….....….18

Abstract
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MOLAR MASS OF A VOLATILE LIQUID
The determination of the molar mass of a volatile liquid is important in the classification

of newly synthesized chemical compounds. The working concept of the method used in the

experiment is the ideal gas law: PV=nRT. If the pressure, volume, and temperature of the gas can

be measured, then the amount of gas can be calculated. By manipulating the ideal gas law

(PV=nRT), we will be determining the molar mass of a volatile liquid. Heating a filled flask,

easily evaporated liquid will allow for measurements that can be taken to work out the ideal gas

equation. The experiment required knowledge of basic equations used in chemistry. Using these

equations, such as density and number of moles(n), we can substitute different values into the

ideal gas law to manipulate it.

Based on the data collected, the molar mass of the compound was equal to 70.18 g/mol.

PV
Manipulating the equation we can get N= after substituting all the converted values into the
RT

moles of the vapor the result was 4.896 × 10−3mol. The mass of the vapor is 0.36g; then dividing

the two values we computed earlier we can get the molar mass of the compound which is equal

to 70.18 g/mol.
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MOLAR MASS OF A VOLATILE LIQUID
Molar Mass of a Volatile Liquid

Volatile Liquids are liquids that can evaporate easily depending on the room temperature.

The reason for this is because volatile liquids have a low boiling point which is why it can

vaporize easily. In addition to that, the vapor pressure of a volatile liquid is considered

measurable (“The MSDS HyperGlossary”, 2016). Knowing that if a substance is a volatile

liquid, then the chemist can easily determine its molar mass by simply using an equation that

came from the Ideal Gas Laws. Knowing the pressure, volume, and temperature of a gas sample

allows one to know the number of moles; knowing the mass that corresponds to that number of

moles allows computation of the molar mass (Guinta, 2003).

PV = nRT

P = Pressure (atm)

V = Volume (L)

R = 0.08206 L atm/mol K

n = number of moles (mol)

T = Temperature (K)

In addition to this equation, R is the universal gas constant and P is the atmospheric

pressure that is measured by an apparatus called barometer. Volatile liquids have molecular

substances that have a low boiling point. By using the Dumas method and the ideal gas law

equation the chemist can simply identify the molecular mass of a volatile liquid. Dumas Method

involves finding the mass, volume, temperature, and pressure of a substance in the vapor phase

(Guinta, 2003).

In this experiment, a 125-mL Erlenmeyer flask will be used to hold a small amount of the

unknown volatile liquid. A small piece of aluminum foil will be used to seal the flask and a
5
MOLAR MASS OF A VOLATILE LIQUID
rubber band was used to keep the aluminum foil intact. Furthermore, a tiny hole was created in

the aluminum foil so that the vapor from the volatile liquid can escape. The Temperature will be

determine by measuring the temperature of the water bath from the beaker, surrounding the flask,

after the volatile liquid has vaporized. Since the vapor is initially pushed out from the flask and

escapes through the pinhole, the pressure inside the flask can be equaled to the atmospheric

pressure. This leads to determining the pressure of the gas by measuring the atmosphere through

the use of a barometer. Once the volatile liquid is completely vaporized, the flask will be

removed from the water bath to allow it to cool down, then the flask will be measured to

determine the mass of the vapor by weighing the condensate remaining in the flask. Lastly, to

identify its volume, the flask will be filled to the brim with deionized water and will be measured

with a laboratory equipment called graduated cylinder. A single trial will be done in this

experiment to determine the molecular mass of the unknown volatile liquid.

Methods

Materials

 5mL Unknown Volatile Liquid

 Barometer

 125mL – Erlenmeyer Flask

 50mL and 10 mL Graduated Cylinder

 Lab Thermometer

 Bunsen Burner

 Rubber Band

 Aluminum Foil
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MOLAR MASS OF A VOLATILE LIQUID
 400ml Beaker

 Lab Iron Stand

 Lab Iron Stand Clamp Clip

 Ring Clamp

 Wire Gauze

 Syringe

 1 Boiling Chip

Procedure

1. Cover the flask with aluminum foil and tie it up with a rubber band. Then trim off the

excess aluminum foil.

2. Weigh the flask in aluminum foil and rubber band. Record the measurement.

3. Fill the beaker up to 400mL of water and put a single boiling chip inside the beaker.

4. Use the syringe to take up the unknown volatile liquid. Then transfer the unknown

substance to the 10mL graduated cylinder. Keep getting the unknown volatile liquid until

it has reached 5mL measurement in the 10mL graduated cylinder.

5. Boil the water bath inside the beaker and put the flask inside the beaker clamped with the

iron stand.

6. Increase the fire of the Bunsen burner and wait until all the volatile liquid inside flask

evaporates or disappears.

7. Once all the volatile liquid is evaporated, measure the temperature of the water bath from

the beaker. Afterwards, wait for five minutes and then turn off the bunsen burner.

8. Measure the atmosphere by using a barometer.

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MOLAR MASS OF A VOLATILE LIQUID
9. Let the flask cool down, then measure the mass of the flask again.

10. Remove the aluminum foil and rubber band. Then proceed to fill up the brim of the flask

with deionized water.

11. Measure the volume of water in the flask by using a 50ml graduated cylinders.

Afterwards, proceed to calculate the molecular mass of the unknown volatile liquid.

Calculations

Pre-Laboratory Assignment

1. a. How is the pressure of the vaporized liquid determined in this experiment?

 The pressure of the vaporized liquid is determined by using a laboratory apparatus

called barometer to know the atmospheric measure.

b. How is the volume of the vaporized liquid determined in this experiment?

 The volume of the vaporized liquid is determined by the volume of the flask.

c. How is the temperature of the vaporized liquid determined in this experiment?

 The temperature of the vaporized liquid is determined by the temperature of the

vaporized liquid which is cooled to temperature.

d. How is the mass of the vaporized liquid determined in this experiment?

 The mass of the vaporized liquid is determined by the mass of the vapor and flask

minus the mass of the flask.

2. The ideal gas law equation is an equation used for analyzing ideal gases. According to the

kinetic molecular theory that defines an ideal gas, no ideal gases exist in nature, only

gases. Van der Waals’ equation is an attempt to make corrections to real gases that do not
8
MOLAR MASS OF A VOLATILE LIQUID
exhibit ideal behavior. Describe the type of gaseous molecules that are most susceptible

to non-ideal behavior.

In ideal gas law, gas particles have no volume (dimensionless particles) and do

not interact (not "sticky", nor do they repel each other), therefore the gases that would

deviate most from this are polyatomic ones (more volume) and polar ones (the permanent

dipole will make them sticky or have the need to repel, depending on the orientation).

3. a. The following data were recorded in determining the molar mass of a volatile liquid

following the Experimental Procedure of this experiment. Complete the table for

analysis. (See Report Sheet.) Record calculated values with the correct number of

significant figures.

A. Preparing the Sample Calculation Zone

1. Mass of dry flask, foil, and rubber band (g) 74.22g

B. Vaporize the Sample

2. Temperature of boiling water (°C) 98.7°C, 371.7 K

3. Mass of dry flask, foil, rubber band, 74.921g

and vapor (g)

C. Determine the volume and Pressure

of the Vapor

1. Volume of 125 mL flask (L) 0.152L

2. Atmospheric pressure (torr, atm) 752torr, 0.989atm

D. Calculations

1. Moles of vapor, nvapor (mol) 4.896 × 10−3mol

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MOLAR MASS OF A VOLATILE LIQUID
Equation 12.1

Show calculation

PV =NRT

PV NRT
=
RT RT

PV (0.989 atm)(0.152 L)
N= = =4.896 ×10−3 mol
RT (0.08206 L• atm/mol • K )(371.7 K )

2. Mass of vapor, mvapor (g) 0.199g

Show calculation.

74.99-74.22 =0.199

3. Molar mass of vapor (g/mol) 40.65 g/mol

Show calculation.

0.199 g
= 40.65 g/mol
4.896 ×10−3 mol

3. b. For Trials 2 and 3, the molar mass of the vapor was determined to be 46.5g/mol and

43.1g/mol respectively.

a. What is the average molar mass of the vapor? Data Analysis, B.

(40.65 g/mol + 46.5 g/mol + 43.1 g/mol)/3 = 43.42

b. What are the standard deviation and the relative standard deviation (%RSD) for the molar

mass of the vapor?

2 2 2

√
σ = (40.65−43.42) (46.5−43.42) (43.1−43.42) =2.94
3−1

σ 2.94
%RSD = x 100=6.77 %
x̅ 43.42
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MOLAR MASS OF A VOLATILE LIQUID
4. a. If the atmospheric pressure of the flask is assumed to be 760 torr in question 3, what is the

reported molar mass of the vapor?

PV (1 atm)( 0.152 L)
760 torr=1 atm N= = =4.95 ×10−3
RT (0.08206 L• atm/mol • K )(371.7 K )

0.199 g
Molar mass= = 40.202 g/mol
4.95 ×10−3 mol

b. What is the percent error caused by the error in the recording of the pressure of the vapor?

M difference
% error =
M actual

0.989 atm−1 atm

% error = x 100=1.11
0.989

Laboratory Questions

1. Part A.1. The mass of the flask (before the sample in placed into the flask) is measured

when the outside of the flask is wet. However, in Part B.3, the outside of the flask is dried

before its mass is measured.

a. Will the mass of vapor in the flask be reported as too high or too low, or will it be

unaffected? Explain.

 The mass of vapor in the flask will be reported as too low due to the droplets

of water made by the wet flask which increases its mass and resulting to too

low when the mass is measured with the dry flask vapor in it.

b. Will the molar mass of vapor in the flask be reported as too high or too low, or will it

be unaffected? Explain.

 The molar mass will be reported as too low due to the mass which is too low

and divided by the moles.

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MOLAR MASS OF A VOLATILE LIQUID
2. Part A.1. From the time the mass of the flask is first measured in Part A.1 until the time it

is finally measured in Part B.3, it is handled a number of times with oily fingers. Does

this lack of proper technique result in the molar mass of the vapor in the flask being

reported as too high or too low or as unaffected? Explain.

 Due to the lack of proper technique, the result in the molar mass of the vapor

in the flask is too high; because the mass of the dry flask, foil, rubber band

and vapor is going to increase leading to an increase in the mass of vapor and

increase in molar mass of the vapor.

3. Part A.2. The aluminum foil is pierced several times with large pencil-size holes instead

of pin-size.

a. How has this oversight in the procedure affected the mass of vapor measured in Part

B.3 – too low, too high, or unaffected? Explain.

 The mass of vapor is too low because the water is escaping causing the mass

to decrease as well, which will also affect the mass of the vapor to be too low.

b. Will the reported molar mass of the liquid be reported too low, too high, or

unaffected? Explain.

 Since the large amount of vapor is escaping, it is causing not only the mass to

decrease but it will also affect the molar mass which is reported as too low as

well.

4. Part B.2. The flask is completely filled with vapor only when it is removed from the hot

water bath in Part B.3. However, when the flask cools, some of the vapor condenses in
12
MOLAR MASS OF A VOLATILE LIQUID
the flask. As a result of this observation, will the reported molar mass of the liquid be too

high, too low, or unaffected? Explain.

 The reported molar mass of the liquid will be unaffected because when the

flask cools, some of the vapor condenses in the flask, which is a normal

observation.

5. Part B.2. Suppose the thermometer is miscalibrated to read 0.3°C higher than actual.

Does this error in calibration result in the molar mass of the vapor in the flask being

reported as too high, too low, or as unaffected? Explain.

 The error in calibration in the molar mass of the vapor in the flask will show a

result as too low because of the mass being reported is too high.

6. Part C.1. If the volume of the flask is assumed to be 125 mL instead of the measured

volume, would the calculated molar mass of the unknown liquid be too high, too low, or

unaffected by this experimental error? Explain.

 The calculated molar mass of the unknown liquid will result to as too low due

to the result of the molar mass which is too high.

7. Part C.2. The pressure reading from the barometer is recorded higher than it actually is.

How does this affect the reported molar mass of the liquid: too high, too low, or

unaffected? Explain.

 This affects the reported molar mass of the liquid being too low due to moles

of vapor being reported too high.

Results

A. Preparing the Sample Calculation Zone

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MOLAR MASS OF A VOLATILE LIQUID
1. Mass of dry flask, foil, and rubber band (g) 98.95g

B. Vaporize the Sample

2. Temperature of boiling water (°C) 101°C, 374 K

3. Mass of dry flask, foil, rubber band, 98.59g

and vapor (g)

C. Determine the volume and Pressure

of the Vapor

1. Volume of 125 mL flask (L)

40ml + 45ml +43ml+30ml =158 ml total volume 158 ml, 0.158L

2. Atmospheric pressure (torr, atm) 758 torr,0.997atm

D. Calculations

1. Moles of vapor, nvapor (mol) 4.896 × 10−3mol

Equation 12.1.

Show calculation.

PV =NRT

PV NRT
=
RT RT

PV (0.997 atm)(0.158 L)
N= = =5.13 ×10−3 mol
RT (0.08206 L• atm/mol • K )(374 K )

2. Mass of vapor, mvapor (g) 0.199g

Show calculation.
14
MOLAR MASS OF A VOLATILE LIQUID
98.95g-98.59 =0.36g

3. Molar mass of vapor (g/mol) 40.65 g/mol

0.36 g
Show calculation. = 70.18 g/mol
5.13× 10−3 mol

Discussion

In this experiment we were able to compute for the molar mass of compound which is

70.18 g/mol. The first thing to do is to convert milliliters to liters, degree Celsius to Kelvin and

torr to atm. After converting all of these we can compute for the moles of the vapor using the

PV
ideal gas law, PV=NRT. Manipulating the equation we can get N= then after substituting all
RT

the converted values into the moles of the vapor the result is 4.896 × 10−3mol. Next step is

getting the mass of the vapor and it’s only the difference of the initial and final mass. The mass

of the vapor is 0.36g. Finally the molar mass of the compound is equal to the mass of the vapor

over the moles of the vapor. Dividing the two values we computed earlier we can get the molar

mass of the compound which is equal to 70.18 g/mol.

Conclusion

From this experiment, the students were able to determine the molar mass of the

unknown volatile liquid by using the proper formulas or equations. However, the students

weren’t able determine whether the measurements and calculations were accurate and precise

since only a single trial was done. It is much preferred if a second or third trial was conducted in

order for the students to calculate the percentage error and to make sure if there were no
15
MOLAR MASS OF A VOLATILE LIQUID
miscalculations for each trial. Furthermore, the students weren’t able to identify the unknown

volatile liquid.

Appendix A

Documentation
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MOLAR MASS OF A VOLATILE LIQUID

References

Guinta, C. (2003). Dumas vapor density. Retrieved from

https://web.lemoyne.edu/giunta/classicalcs/dumas.html

The MSDS HyperGlossary: Volatility. (2016). Retrieved from:

http://www.ilpi.com/msds/ref/volatility.html