Name : ______________________________________ Grade and Section: _______________

DETERMINATION OF BOILING POINTS

Introduction:

The boiling point of a compound is the temperature at which it changes from a liquid to a gas. This
is a physical property often used to identify substances or to check the purity of the compound.
It is difficult, though, to find a boiling point. Usually, chemists can only obtain a boiling range of a 2 -
o
3 C accuracy. This is usually sufficient for most uses of the boiling point.

Purpose:
The purpose of this experiment is to determine the boiling points of various organic compounds and
to use these to identify unknowns.

Equipment / Materials:
hot plate closed end capillary tube
thermometer liquid organic compounds
250 mL beaker small test tube

Safety:
Always wear safety glasses in the lab.
Capillary tubes break very easily, handle them with caution.
Be careful with the thermometer. Mercury is very toxic.
Procedure:
1. Place a few milliliters of a known liquid organic compound in a small test tube.
2. Into the test tube, place the capillary tube with closed end upward.
3. Clamp the test tube to a ring stand and immerse a thermometer in the test tube. Be sure to clamp
the thermometer to the ring stand as well.
4. Fill a 250 mL beaker 3/4 full with water and place on the hot plate. Carefully lower lower the test
tube and thermometer combination into the beaker of water so that the test tube is immersed half way in
the water.
5. Begin to heat the hot plate/water slowly. As the liquid approaches its boiling point, a few
bubbles will be observed flowing out of the end of the capillary tube. When a steady steam of bubbles are
observed, turn off the hot plate and allow the contents of the test tube to cool.
6. As the contents of the test tube cools, observe the capillary tube carefully. When the liquid begins
to flow into the capillary tube, record the temperature of the liquid as its boiling point temperature.
7. Obtain an unknown liquid and repeat steps 1-6.
Substance Boiling point (C)

acetone 56-57
methanol 65
ethanol 78-79
2-propanol 82-83

DETERMINATION OF BOILING POINTS

Data Table:
Name : ______________________________________ Grade and Section: _______________

Unknown:
Compound boiling
A
range o
- C

identity of
substance

Compound boiling
B
range o
- C

identity of
substance

Compound boiling
C
range o
- C

identity of
substance

Compound boiling
D
range o
- C

identity of
substance

Questions:
1. What is the definition of boiling?

2. How is boiling affected by pressure?

3. How would the boiling point of a liquid change by:

Name : ______________________________________ Grade and Section: _______________

a) measuring it in Baguio (altitude - 5000 ft.)?

b) placing the liquid in a pressure cooker?

4. How does intermolecular forces relate to the boiling points of substances?

Name : ______________________________________ Grade and Section: _______________

DETERMINATION OF BOILING POINTS

TEACHER NOTES

Lab Time: 30 minutes

Preparations:
Time: 10 minutes

T: Make several different liquid organic compounds for the student to sample, but make sure that
they are safe to the students.

T: Hand out several unknowns for the students to test and distribute a list of possible compounds
and their boiling points for identification.

V: Obtain one hot plate, one thermometer, and several capillary tubes for each lab group from the
van. The van may also supply a few chemicals to use as requested

Answers to Questions:

1. What is the definition of boiling?

The temperature at which a liquid changes to a gas.

2. How is boiling affected by pressure?

As the pressure is decreased, the temperature at which a substance boils is decreased.

3. How would the boiling point of a liquid change by:

a) measuring it in Denver (altitude - 5000 ft.)?
The boiling point would be lower than the boiling point at sea level.

b) placing the liquid in a pressure cooker?

The boiling point would be increased.

Considerations:
Name : ______________________________________ Grade and Section: _______________

This a very simple lab that allows students to determine the boiling points of several liquids. The use
of a hot plate eliminates the potential for the vapors to ignite. Do not use open flames. If other substances
are chosen, be sure the boiling points are between 50 and 100C.