Name

NURZAWANAH AKMAR BINTI HASBULLAH

Course Code CHM420

Title of Experiment EXPERIMENT 8: GAS LAW

Lecturers Name MADAM NURUL IZZA

Partners Name NURAFIQAH BT MOHD FAUDZI

OBJECTIVE
1. To verify the Grahams Law by calculating the distances traveled during the same period
of time by two different gases of known molecular mass.
2. To identify the molar mass of a volatile liquid by measuring mass of vapor of the liquid is
needed to fill a flask of known volume at a particular temperature and pressure.

INTRODUCTION

Diffusion is the gradual mixing of gases due to the motion of their component particles even
in the absence of mechanical agitation such as stirring. The result is a gas mixture with
uniform composition. Diffusion is also a property of the particles in liquids and liquid solutions
and, to a lesser extent, of solids and solid solutions. The related process, effusion, is the
escape of gaseous molecules through a small (usually microscopic) hole, such as a hole in a
balloon, into an evacuated space.

The phenomenon of effusion had been known for thousands of years, but it was not until the
early 19th century that quantitative experiments related the rate of effusion to molecular
properties. The rate of effusion of a gaseous substance is inversely proportional to the square
root of its molar mass. This relationship is referred to as Grahams law, after the Scottish
chemist Thomas Graham (18051869). The ratio of the effusion rates of two gases is the
square root of the inverse ratio of their molar masses:

=


GRAHAMS LAW

The rate of effusion of a gaseous substance is inversely proportional to the square root of its
molar mass.

Grahams law is an empirical relationship that states that the ratio of the rates of diffusion or
effusion of two gases is the square root of the inverse ratio of their molar masses. The
relationship is based on the postulate that all gases at the same temperature have the same
average kinetic energy (recall that a result of the Kinetic Theory of Gases is that the
temperature, in degrees Kelvin, is directly proportional to the average kinetic energy of the
molecules.) . We can write the expression for the average kinetic energy of two gases with
different molar masses:

1 6 1 6
= , = ,
2 2

Multiplying both sides by 2 and rearranging give

2,
=
2,

Taking the square root of both sides gives

2,
=
2,

Thus, the rate at which a molecule, or a mole of molecules, diffuses or effuses is directly
related to the speed at which it moves. Equation 2.9.4 shows that Grahams law is a direct
consequence of the fact that gaseous molecules at the same temperature have the same
average kinetic energy.

CHEMICALS AND APPARATUS
NH3 (conc.)
HCl (conc.)
Acetone (to dry the glass tube)
Retort stand
Glass tube(50 cm length, 10mm internal diameter)
Cotton
Boiling chips
Unknown volatile liquid acetone (or other compounds recommended by lecturer)
Thermometer
Aluminum foil (square shape just enough to cover the mouth of conical flask)
Stopper
Medicine dropper
Tweezers or crucible tongs
Stock watch
Marker pen

Long ruler(1 meter)
Retort stand
500mL beaker
100mL conical flask
500mL graduated cylinder
Bunsen burner
Pin (to make a hole)
METHOD
A) Grahams Law
Precautions : The chemicals were dispensed in a hood. Caution was employed when the
cotton was saturated with the liquids. HCl and NH3 are toxic by ingestion or inhalation
and corrosive to skin and eyes. The vapors cannot be inhaled; provided adequate
ventilation.

1. A 50cm length of glass tubing (10 mm internal diameter) was obtained. It was made
sure completely dried. Two cotton swabs were prepared. A setup was prepared as in
Figure 8.1 and 8.2.
2. Using dropper pipettes, about 15 drops of concentrated HCl was placed on the cotton
swab and 15 drops of concentrated NH3 solution on another cotton swab.
3. Using tweezers, the moistened ends of the cotton swab was immediately and
simultaneously inserted into opposite ends of the tube. The time needed for the
appearance of the faint white cloud(ring) of ammonium chloride was recorded.
4. After several minutes, a white ring was formed where the gases HCl and NH3 met
inside the tube, and formed NH4Cl (ammonium chloride). The point on the tube where
the white ring was formed was marked. The distance traveled was measured by each
gas. Data was recorded in Datasheet 8A.
5. The cotton swabs were removed using tweezers and immersed it into a beaker of tap
water.
6. The tubing was rinsed with water. It was dried by rinsing with acetone.

B) Molar Mass of Volatile Liquid
1. A boiling water bath was setted up using a 400mL beaker containing 250mL of
water(enough to immerse the flask).
2.A 125mL of conical flask was obtained and boiling chips were added. The mouth of the
flask was tightly covered with a small square of aluminium foil. A straight pin was used
to make a small hole on the foil cap.
3. The empty, capped flask was weighed together with boiling chips.
4. The foil cap was removed. 2mL of sample of the liquid was placed to be studied into
the flask and the foil was replaced.
5. The flask was clamped with a single burette clamp. The flask was transferred to the
boiling water bath, immersed and heated. Boiling chips were put in the water bath too if
necessary.
6. The liquid was refluxed insed the flask. The flask was kept slightly tilted; it was easier
to notice when the liquid disappeared.
7. The liquid was heated until no longer visible and no vapor was seen emerged from the
pinhole. The heating was continued 30 seconds beyond this time.
8. The flask was removed and was set on a white tile; the clamp was removed; and the
flask was waited for cooling to room temperature.
9. The flask was dried. The flask, cap and condensed vapor was weighed.
10. The contents of the flask was disposed in water bottle as instructed. The flask was
filled with tap water (to overflowing). The water was poured into a 500mL graduated
cylinder, measured the volume and recorded.
11. The barometric pressure was measured and recorded(assumed 760 torr or equal to
1 atm). Data was recorded in Datasheet 8B.
Safety precaution
Concentrated HCl and concentrated NH3 solution are each damaging to skin, wear
rubber gloves while handling them.
The fume both HCl and NH3 extremely irritating and are dangerous to the
respiratory tract. Use these substances only in the exhausted hood.





DATA

8A

Observation of NH4Cl appearance :
Formation of white ring

TRIAL 1 TRIAL 2
Start time 0 0
Finish time
870 s 427.2 s
(first visible smoke)
Distance traveled by NH3 63.7 cm 65.7 cm
Distance traveled by HCl 32.5 cm 30.5 cm
Ammonia diffusion rate
0.0732 0.154
(cm/sec)
HCl diffusion rate
0.0374 0.0714
(cm/sec)


8B

Unknown liquid number or letter X

Mass of flask, foil, boiling chips and
75.9113g
condensed vapor
Mass of flask, boiling chips and foil 75.5693g
Mass of condensed vapor(mass of vapor) 0.342g
Temperature of vapor 25oc
Barometric pressure (pressure of vapor) 760 mmHg (torr)
Volume of flask (volume of vapor) 145 mL







RESULTS, CALCULATION & QUESTIONS

1. Experiment 1
a) Calculate the rate of diffusion for each gas by dividing the distance traveled(cm) by the
time required(sec) for the appearance of the white deposit.

From trial 1,

Rate of diffusion of HCl
Distance travelled by HCl = 32.5cm
Time required = 870 sec
Rate of diffusion
=32.5cm/870sec
=0.0374cm/sec

Rate of diffusion of NH3,
Distance travelled by NH3 = 63.7cm
Time required = 870sec
Rate of diffusion=0.0732cm/sec

From trial 2,

Rate of diffusion of HCl
Distance travelled by HCl = 30.5cm
Time required = 427.2sec
Rate of diffusion
=30.5cm/427.2sec
=0.0714cm/sec

Rate of diffusion of NH3,
Distance travelled by NH3 = 65.7cm
Time required = 427.2sec
Rate of diffusion=0.154cm/sec

Average rate of diffusion of HCl ; 0.0486cm/sec
Average rate of diffusion of NH3 ; 0.0998cm/sec

b) Calculate the ratio of the rate of diffusion of NH3 to the rate of diffusion of HCl.
Rate of diffusion of NH3 = 0.0998cm/sec
Rate of diffusion of HCl = 0.0486cm/sec

(0.0998cm/sec)/( 0.0486cm/sec) = 2.05
= 2

So, the ratio of the rate of diffusion of NH3 to the rate of diffusion of HCl is 2:1

c) Using the molecular masses of NH3 and HCl, calculate the theoretical ratio of the rates of
diffusion of these gases.

Molecular mass NH3 = 17.03g/mol
Molecular mass HCl = 36.46g/mol

The ratio of the rate of diffusion of HCl to the rate of diffusion NH3
17.03g/mol 36.46g/mol = 2:1


d) Calculate the % error in your experimentally determined value for the ratio of the rates of
diffusion of NH3 and HCl. Use the theoretical ratio calculated in (c) as the accepted value for
the ratio.

;<=>?=;@ABCD=EF=?@G=H;BC
Percentage error = | | 100%
;<=>?=;@ABC

6.MND6
=| | 100%
6.MN
=2.44%

e) [% error = absolute value of (theoretical ratio experimental ratio/theoretical ratio)] x
100%

;<=>?=;@ABCD=EF=?@G=H;BC
Percentage error = | | 100%
;<=>?=;@ABC

6.MND6
=| | 100%
6.MN
=2.44%

2. Experiment 2

Calculate the molecular weight of the unknown liquid. Show your calculations, and include
units of the different quantities in your calculations.

Use pV = nRT
P = 1 atm, V = 0.145L, R = 0.0821 L atm K-1 mol-1, T = 298 K

n = pV/RT

number of moles, (1 atm x 0.145L)/0.0821 L atm K-1 mol-1 x 298 K) = 5.93 x 10-3mole

The molar mass = mass/n
Mass = 0.342 gram

Molar mass, (0.342 gram 5.93 x 10-3 mole) =57.71 g/mol

So, the molecular weight of the unknown liquid is 57.71 g/mol.

DISCUSSION

From experiment 1,
The reaction which is taking place is :
ammonia + hydrogen chloride ammonium chloride

NH4(g) + HCl(g) NH4Cl(s)

The exact time taken for the ring to form will depend on the dimensions of the tube,
the amount of the solutions which are put on the cotton wool wads and the
temperature of the room.

The ring usually forms nearer to the hydrochloric acid end of the tube because
hydrogen chloride diffuses more slowly than ammonia. This is because hydrogen
chloride has almost twice the molecular weight of ammonia and the rate of
diffusion is inversely proportional to the square root of the molecular mass of the
gas.

The rate of diffusion for the gases were different even though they were under the
same conditions was a result of ammonia being less dense and moving at a further
distance than the hydrogen chloride. The formula given for rate is distance/ time
thus ammonias rate of diffusion higher than that of HCl as it moved a further
distance.

The purpose of the glass tube is to eliminate air currents and to see if the gas
molecules will move on their own.

From experiment 2,
These relationships can be combined into a single equation which describes the relationship
among temperature, pressure, volume and amount (number of moles) of all gases under
ordinary conditions. The equation is the ideal gas law: PV = nRT

Possible Sources of Error:
1. Inaccuracy in timing due to cotton swabs not inserted simultaneously and the time
is recorded too soon.
2. Inconsistency with volume of ammonia and hydrochloric acid used.


CONCLUSION

1. The reaction which is taking place in experiment 1 is ammonia + hydrogen chloride
ammonium chloride. NH3(g) + HCl(g) NH4Cl(s), the equation used in experiment 2 is the
ideal gas law= pV/nRT and the molar mass of the volatile liquid is 57.71 g/mol.




REFERENCES

1. Grahams Law,
http://mrsnielsenscience.weebly.com/uploads/2/6/8/6/26863612/grahams_law_lab.pdf

2. Graham's Laws of Diffusion and Effusion,
https://chem.libretexts.org/Textbook_Maps/Physical_and_Theoretical_Chemistry_Textboo
k_Maps/Map%3A_Physical_Chemistry_for_the_Biosciences_(Chang)/02%3A_Properties_of
_Gases/2.9%3A_Graham's_Laws_of_Diffusion_and_Effusion

3. DeCoste Zumdahl, World Of Chemistry(2007), Chapter 13 : Gases