EXPERIMENT 18 Gaseous Diffusion MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT Solutions: concentrated ammonium hydroxide (in dropping bottle) and concentrated hydrochloric acid (in dropping bottle). Liquids: acctone und isopropyl alcohol. Glass diffusion tube, 65-80 cm Jong % 8 mm diameter (Jirepolished ends); two medicine dropper bulbs: utility clamp; rubber stopper, No. 4 or lurger, one-hole, cut open on one side: metric ruler or meter stick; clock or ‘watch with second hand (or stopwatch). DISCUSSION The Kinetic Molecular Theory assumes that (1) the molecules of gases are in rapid random motion and (2) their average velocities (speeds) are proportional to the absolute (Kelvin) temperature. It also assures that (3) at the same temperature, the average kinetic energies of the molecules of different gases are equal. Geahaay’s Law of Diffusion is based on the foregoing three basic assumptions of the Kinetic Molecular Theory and can he stated in cither af two altemate farms: (1) The rates of diffusion of differem gases are inversely proportional to the square roots of their densities, or (2) the rates of diffusion of different gases arc inversely proportional to the square roots of their molar masses, tis difficult to make experimental measurements of the velocities of individual gas molecules. But the relative molecular velocities of cerlain gases can be compared with the aid of some simple laboratory equipment, In this experiment you will determine the selative molecular velocities of ammonia (NE) gas and of hydrogen chloride (HCI) ges, This information will be used to edleu- late experimental values for (1) the molar mass of hydrogen chloride and (2) the ratio of the average molecular velocily of ammonia gas to that oF hydrogen chloride eas, Ammonia end hydrogen chloride gases react, upon contact, to form a white cloud (or smoke) of microscopic particles of solid ammonium chloride. This fact makes it fairly easy to expert mentally messure the relative rates of diffusion of these gases. This is accomplished by simul- teneously introducing ammonia and hydrogen chloride gases into the opposite ends of a glass tube and soting the time seeded for the appeurance of the faint white cloud of ammonium chloride, Experimental values for the relative rates of diffusion of NH, and HC! through the air in the tube can then be obtained by measuring the distance traveled by each gas and dividing by the time required for the appearance of the faint white cloud. The kinetic molecular theory holds that, et the same temperature, the average kinetic energies of the molecules of different gases sre equal. The kinetic energy (KE) of any moving body regardless of whether it is a molecule of an automobile—is given by the equation, KE = 34rmy* 141(where m is the mass of the body and vi its Velocity). Hence KE jee, = KE(yop: and the masses and average velocities of NH and HCI molecules must be related in this fashion’ Thats nety _ Macitfio. By multiplying Equation (1) by 2 and rearranging, we obtain Equation (2) By taking the square root of Equation (2) we obtain Yate tiger ‘Gis Ving, QB) Since the ratio of the molecular masses is proportional 19 the ratio of the molar masses, Equation (3) may be rewritien as Vite _ Mice Yun Vee, Equation (4) is. of course, the mathematical statement of Graham's Law of Ditfuson in this form: The rats of diffson of differnt gises are inversely proporona to the squire roots of theit molar mses, (where AP represents malar mass) @ From Equation (4) the ratio of the average molecular velocity af ammonia to that of hydroxen chloride can be ealeulated, ‘This calculation tells us that, at a given temperature, the average velocity of ammonis molecules is thearetically [47 times greater than that of hydrogen chloride molecules PROCEDURE Wear protective glasces. NOTES: “1. Use concentrated ammonium hydroxide and concentrated hydro: chlaric acid in dropping bottles or other containers designated by your instructor. Keep these containers lightly closed when not in use, 2, In performing Step 1, make sure that each liquid wets the entire inner wall of the tube. This is accomplished by roteting the tube while holding it at about a 45° angle while pouring the liquids through it. 3. Steps4 and 5 are most efficiently performed by two persons working togetiier. Therefore, unless otherwise directed by your insteuctor, arrange to cooperate with snather stuulent in the performance of these steps, 142‘Smoke appears in camp A 7) a ee Sona Py Bulb cootaining 3 drops eaneentrated NH,OH™ o——a Note: Rubber bulbs should cover ends of tube just sufficiently to forma seal (about 23 mm) Figure 18.1. Setup for Gaseous Diffusion. PRECAUTION: Isopropyl aleohol and avetone are volatile and highly flam= ‘mable Liquids. 1. Clean the glass diffusion tube by: (3) pouriig warm water through it and rinsing with S mL of distiled water: (b) pouring about 3 mL of isopropyl alcohol through the tube; (© pouring about 3 mL of acetone through the tube and wiping the outside clean with a towel or tissue: (dW) drawing sir through the tube using an aspirator pump or vacuueh line for S ehinutes ‘The tube must be perfectly dry for satisfactory results, 2, Clean two medicine dropper bulbs hy rinsing with water, then with | ml. isopropylalcohol, and finally with | mL acetone. Dry the bulbs thoroushly 3. Slip a cut stoppar in place at the center of the glass tube. Clamp the tube by means of this, sfopper and 2 utility clamp so that itis in 2 horizontal position abaut faur inches ahove the desk topas shown in Figure 18.1 4. Put three drops of conc, hydrochloric acid solution into ene ef the dropper bulbs, and at the same time have your partner put three drops of cone, ammonium hydroxide into the other bulb. Keep the bulbs turned open-end up so these liguids can’t escape. 5. Without delay note the position of the second hand an your watch or clock; and as it crosses the next half minute or minute mark, working with yaur partner, simultaneously place the dropper bulb containing the ammonivm hydroxide on the right end of the tube and the bulb containing hydrochloric aeid on the left end. The bulbs should be gripped lightly by tha uppér ar im portions, and put on the etids of the glass tubina only fer enough to forma seal (2 or 3 mm), Do not squeeze the bulbs or push them very far onto the glass tube because either of these actions will Force air/gas mixtures into the glass tbe and have an adverse effect om the iment, Be sure to note and record the exact time when the bulbs were put on the tube. 1436. Wateh the tube for the very First visible trace of white smoke-it will usually appear within 5 to 10 minutes as a very faint ring resembling a wisp of cigarette smoke, Note and record the time of the first appearance of smoke to the nearest 0.1 minute <6 seconds = 0.1 minute). Mark the tube with a ballpoint pen at she Point where the smoke first appears. 7, Measure and record the distances traveled by both HCI and NH, to the nearest 0.1 cm 8. Make # duplicate run by repeating the foregoing procedure starting with Step |NAME pee Has SECTION_____DATE. REPORT FOR EXPERIMENT 18 = 'NSTRUCTOR——_____- Gaseous Diffusion Data Table Run Run 2 Start Time Finish Time (fiest visible smoke} Elapsed Time (to neerest 0.1 min.) Distance traveled by NH (to nearest 0.1 em) Distance traveled by HCI (to nearest 0,1 cm) NH diffusion rate (emfain,) HCI diffusion rate (em/min,) CALCULATIONS. Shaw calculation setups and answers, 1, Experimental molar mass of HCl. Calenlate the malar mass of HCI from the experimental data using Equation (4), Use 17.03 ax the motar mass of NE;. Suggestion: First square both sides of Equation (4) to remove the square root signs, CS ———— ——— 2, Percentage error in experimentally determined HCI molar mass (accepted valne is 36.5). (Experimental value) — (Accepted value) Accepted value X 100 = Percentage error Run }—______ Run 2___ lasREPORT FOR EXPERIMENT 18 (continued) a 3, Experimental velocity ratio Run Run 2. 4. Percent error in experimental ratio from No, 3 above, The accepted value of the ratio is 1.47 -s02 Diseustion, Run} Run 2 QUESTIONS AND PROBLEMS 1. Write the chemical equation for the reaction that caused the white smoke to appear inside the tube, Som of the tube had been wetted with water an the inside at the NH, end, would the molar mass of HCI calculated ftom the experimental data probably be (1) greater than 36.46; (b) less than 36.46; or (©) equal to 36.467 Explain 3. Which gas will diffuse fuster, O; oF CH,? How many times faster? 4. Ii an experiment similar to the one which you performed, substance X was substituted for HCI. Ammonia was found tg have a diffusion rate of 5.0 emmin., and substance X, a rate of 4.6 cm/min, Calculate the molar mass of substance X. Show setup. 146