Experiments Physical Chemistry

Experiment: 1

Determine surface tension of liquid by stalagmometer.

Stalagmometer basically consists of glass capillary tube with the bulb at the middle. In order to calculate
surface tension we need stalagmometer, measuring cylinder and beaker. The liquid to be tested is first
sucked into the stalagmometer up to a point and then the liquid is allowed to fall drop by drop. The drop
falls due to gravity.

When the weight of the drop (mg) becomes equal to circumference (2πr) multiplied by the surface
tension, it drops. The surface tension can be calculated provided the radius (r) and mass of the fluid
droplet (m) are given. Surface tension is directly proportional to weight of the drop. The surface tension
of fluid which is to be tested is compared with the reference fluid. Reference fluid is mostly water.

Experiment: 2

Determine surface tension of different liquids (different concentration) by

stalagmometer.

Stalagmometer is used to measure the weight of drops of a unknown fluid falling from the capillary tube
and there by calculating surface tension of a fluid. We can determine the weight of falling drops by
counting them. From it we determine the surface tension. Stalagmometer is filled with the reference fluid
and then allowed to fall drop by drop and then the same experiment is performed with the fluid to be
 Experiments Physical Chemistry

tested. In this experiment we use specific gravity bottle. First we weight the specific gravity bottle and
then we weigh the specific gravity bottle with the reference fluid and with the fluid to be tested.

Experiment # 3

Determine the viscosity of liquid at room temperature by viscometer method.

Viscometer is use to measure the viscosity of a fluid. Viscosity is basically used to measure the opposition
to the flow of liquid. It is U-shaped glass tube and held vertically in a controlled temperature bath. In one
arm of the tube is a vertical section of precise narrow bore. Above there is a bulb. There is another bulb
lower on the other arm. Liquid is sucked up to the upper bulb and then allowed to flow to the capillary
tube into the lower bulb. There are two marks which indicate a known volume. The time which liquid
takes to pass through these marks is proportional to the kinematic viscosity.

Viscometer is first washed with the water and then filled with water. Then time is measured with the help
of stopwatch as the liquid moves from point A to point B. Same process is repeated with different fluids
in order to measure their viscosity.
 Experiments Physical Chemistry

Experiment # 4

Determine the percentage composition of unknown liquid mixture by viscometer.

In this practical first we take the distilled water in two different beakers. Then we fill the viscometer up to
the point X with water. After that we observe the flow of water from point X to Y in the bulb. The same
process is repeated with different other liquid.

Viscosity measurements are very important. They are used to control the manufacturing of paints, rubber,
glues and synthetic polymers.