Name: Nasri Shamieh

Chemistry lab (2)

Observation: -
The experiment started by covering a conical flask with an aluminum cap. And make a small
hole in the middle using a light brown toothpick. After that, instructions were given to measure
the mass of the flask and the aluminum cap and write the finding as mass (1). Then we
continued by putting 2-3cm3 of acetone which was colorless using a 5cm3 syringe inside the
conical flask. After that, instructions were given to recover the flask with the Aluminum cap, so
the acetone do not evaporate with the air. When we finished these first steps, we were
supposed to wear gloves and a lab coat because we were going to use a water bath with an
extremely hot water inside, about 80 Celsius. After we were sure that all the safety precautions
were done, we started the experiment by holding the conical flask with the acetone inside, in
the hot water bath. It was seen that the reaction was fast, this can be known from the steam
that appeared right after we put the flask in the water. The acetone inside the flask evaporated
because of the hot water and it got out of the flask from the small hole that we made earlier in
the experiment. After few minutes all the acetone content was evaporated and nothing was
remaining in the conical flask, however, there were some droplets left on it because of the
steam. This was removed with a towel, and it was ensured that nothing is in the flask. When we
put the flask again in cold water it was seen the some of the acetone reformed again in the
flask. Then we filled the flask with water to the tip and transferred it to a graduated measuring
cylinder (250 ml  1). And lastly, we need to calculate the molar mass so we need the
atmospheric pressure which is found on the side of the water bath.

Table (1): Mass measurements during and after the experiment.

# of the mass Measurements Trials # Conditions
  
1 Mass of empty 83.304 61.729 54.842 Before
conical flask + heating
Al cap / g ±
0.001
2 Mass of 83.482 61.891 55.038 After heating
conical flask + and cooling
Al cap +
acetone / g ±
0.001
3 Mass (2) – 0.178 0.162 0.196
Mass (1) /g ±
0.001
(remaining
acetone mass)
Temperature (water bath) = 80.0 ℃ ± 0.1℃ / Pressure (atm) = 102.0 KPa ± 0.1 KPa
Volume of acetone= 144ml ± 1
Calculations: -

1. Remaining acetone mass:

=M2-M1
 83.482- 83.304= 0.178g ± 0.002g
 61.891- 61.729= 0.162g ± 0.002g
 55.038- 54.842= 0.196g ± 0.002g

2. Find the molar mass

Using Pv=nRT

mRT
Pv=
M

mRT
M=
Pv

Where P is the pressure in KPa

m is the mass of the remaining acetone (M2-M1)
R is constant (8.31/Jmol-1K-1)
T is the temperature in Kelvin
V is the volume of acetone in dm3
M is the molar mass in gmol-1

Trial (1):

mRT
M=
Pv

(0.178)(8.31)(353.15)
M=
(102.0)(144 /1000)

M =¿ 35.6 gmol-1

Trial (2):
 mRT
M=
Pv

(0.162)(8.31)(353.15)
M=
(102.0)(1 12/1000)

M =41.6 gmol-1

Trial (3):

mRT
M=
Pv

(0.906)(8.31)(353.15)
M=
(102.0)(1 20 /1000)

M =47.0 gmol-1

3. Percentage error

%error= |true−actual
true |× 100 %
trial(1)=%error= |58.09−35.6
58.09 |
100 %

%error=38.7 %

trial(2)=%error= |58.09−41.6
58.09 |
100 %

%error =28.4 %
 trial(2)=%error= |58.09−47.0
58.09 |
100 %

%error=19 .09 %

4. Percentage uncertainty

%U M = (%Um + %UT + %Up + %Uv)×100 %

Trial (1):

0.002 0.1 0.1 0.001

%UM = ( + + + ) ×100 %
0.178 353.15 102.0 0.144

%UM = 1.9%

Trial (2):

0.002 0.1 0.1 0.001

%UM = ( + + + ) ×100 %
0.162 353.15 102.0 0.112

%UM = 2.2%

Trial (3):

0.002 0.1 0.1 0.001

%UM = ( + + + ) ×100 %
0.196 353.15 102.0 0.120

%UM = 2.0%

Table(2):
Trial # True M/gmol-1 %error %UM
1 58.09 38.7 1.9
2 58.09 28.4 2.2
3 58.09 19.09 2.0

Conclusion and evaluation:

The purpose of this experiment was to demonstrate how to calculate the molar mass of volatile
liquid using the ideal gas law. By vaporizing a small sample of acetone and condensing it into
liquid while measuring temperature, pressure, volume, and mass, the number of moles of the
gas substance and its molar mass can be calculated. An accurate calculation of the moles of
acetone gas was allowed due to the hole in the foil of the test tube, which ensure that excess
oxygen was driven out of the test tube and only acetone gas, the test tube was placed in an ice
water bath to condense the acetone gas into a liquid.

During the experiment it was found that the percentage error is 38.7% which is a significantly
high percentage, while the percentage uncertainty of the molar mass of acetone turned to be
1.9% and that is a low percentage. This difference in the two percentages values shows that
there are higher numbers of systematic errors than random errors and that indicates that the
results of the molar mass of the small sample of acetone measured by using the ideal gas law
equation is less accurate and more precise in all the trials that were made. This can also be seen
by looking at the values that are close to the actual and true value of the molar mass but are
separated and aren’t close to each other. So after conducting multiple trials, we found the
average molar mass and this value was compared to the accepted molar mass value of acetone
(58.09g/mol).
Even with the success of the experiment there were some strengths and weaknesses. Using a
reliable methodology and a simple set up was one of the main strengths. The method of vapor
density is a well-established technique for determining the molar mass of volatile substances
like acetone. It relies on fundamental principles of gas behavior and provides accurate results
when performed correctly. As well as the experimental setup for this method is relatively
straight forward and doesn’t require sophisticated equipment, making it accessible for
laboratory settings with limited resources. On the other hand, some of the weaknesses were
majorly the experimental errors, the assumptions of ideal gas behavior, and the precision of the
measurements. Despite efforts to control variables, experimental errors are inevitable. Factors
such as incomplete vaporization, impurities in the acetone sample, or inaccuracies in volume
measurement can lead to discrepancies between the calculated and the accepted molar mass
values. The ideal gas law assumes ideal conditions that may not always be met in practice,
particularly at high temperatures or pressures. Deviations from ideal behavior could affect the
accuracy of the results. Moreover, the accuracy of the molar mass determination depends on
the precision of measurements, including mass and volume. Even small errors in these
measurements can propagate into significant uncertainties in the calculated molar mass.

First, when the acetone was vaporized in the boiling-water bath, it was assumed that the
pressure inside the tube was equal to the outside air pressure due to the hole in the aluminum
foil. If this assumption produced a source of error, it would have led to an in accurate
measurement of the mass of acetone gas in the test tube, leading to an inaccurate calculation of
the substance’s molar mass. Second, when the acetone was vaporized in the boiling-water bath,
it was assumed that the temperature of the water equal to the temperature of the gas. This
assumption could produce a source of error which would lead to an inaccurate measurement of
the molar mass of acetone gas due to flaws with the ideal gas equation. Third, since the
barometric pressure was measured using an online weather service, it is possible that the
pressure outside was not equal to the air pressure inside the chemistry lab. This inaccuracy
could lead to false calculations of acetone’s molar mass due to pressure’s role in the ideal gas
equation. Many of the systematic errors that are possible are due to flaws with the ideal gas
equation and assumptions about the “ideal” nature of the acetone sample and “ideal”
conditions of the laboratory.
Even with all the sources errors there can be a lot of improvements.
Some acetone may evaporate before reaching the cooling bath, leading to an underestimation
of the molar mass. To minimize this, ensure that the heating source is not too high and use a
tight-fitting lid or stopper on the container to reduce evaporation losses. If not all the acetone
vaporizes during heating, it will lead to an underestimate of the molar mass. Ensure through
heating and agitation of the acetone to promote complete vaporization. Acetone vapor may
condense of the walls of the container or other surfaces before reaching the cooling bath,
leading to an underestimate of the volume of vapor collected. Use insulation or a more efficient
condensation setup to minimize condensation losses. Errors in measuring the volume of vapor
collected can lead to inaccuracies in the calculated molar mass. Use calibrated glassware or
other precise measuring devices to measure the volume of vapor. Changes in atmospheric
pressure can affect the volume and density of the vapor collected, leading to inaccuracies in the
calculated molar mass. Try to conduct the experiment under constant atmospheric pressure
conditions or correct for pressure variations if possible. Fluctuations in temperature during the
experiment can affect the volume and density of the vapor collected. Maintain a constant
temperature throughout the experiment by using a temperature-controlled heating source and
cooling bath. Contamination of the acetone sample or equipment with other substances can
affect the results. Use high purity acetone and clean equipment thoroughly between
experiments to minimize contamination. The ideal gas law assumes ideal behavior of gases,
which may not always hold true under experimental conditions. Consider using corrections or
alternative equations of state if necessary. Errors in the calibration of equipment such as the
balance or glassware can lead to inaccuracies in measurements. Regularly calibrate equipment
and use certified reference materials when available. By addressing the potential sources of
error and implementing appropriate improvements, you can increase the accuracy and
reliability of your experimental results when determining the molar mass of acetone by heating
and cooling.