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Iwu Adaobi.

A00021753

LAB PARTNER: Chioma Esimone

COURSE TITLE: CHE 121

INSTRUCTOR: Mrs. Isioma

EXPERIMENT DATE: 20th September 2019

Determination of Molecular Weight Using Freezing Point Depression

ABSTRACT:

This experiment was performed using the experimentally determined freezing point
depression to calculate the molecular weight of benzoic acid. This was done by heating two test
tubes, one containing lauric acid and the other containing lauric acid-benzoic acid mixture, These
test tubes were heated until their contents melted and, inserting a temperature probe connected to
the vernier computer interface into each test tube individually, the graphs of temperature vs. time
was made. The freezing points were determined using this graph. This was used to calculate the
molality of the solution and the molecular weight of benzoic acid. The experimental molecular
weight of benzoic acid was 126.3g/mol which were different from the actual value of 122g/mol
by a 3.5% error.

INTRODUCTION:

Solutions are homogenous mixtures of two or ore pure substances (LeMay, 2017). To
form a solution, the intermolecular forces must be strong enough to compete with the forces
between that of the solute and that of the solvent (LeMay, 2017). This enables the solute particles
to disperse uniformly in the solvent and for the solvent particles to solvate them. Factors
affecting solubilty include: polarity, temperature, pressure, nature of solute, etc (LeMay, 2017).

Solvent properties are often altered by the introduction of a solute e.g dissolving
hydrogen chloride in water would result to an acidic solution (LeMay, 2017). However,
colligative properties depend on the concentration of solute particles rather than the
characteristics of the particles. Examples include: freezing point depression vapor pressure
lowering, osmotic pressure, and boiling point elevation (LeMay, 2017).

Freezing point depression is the decrease in the solvent’s freezing point with the
introduction of a non-volatile solute. The change in freezing point (∆T) is proportional to the
molality (m). Mathematically; ∆T = Kf X m (LeMay, 2017).
Kf represents molal freezing point depression constant (property of the solvent) (LeMay, 2017).

This experiment was performed using the experimentally determined freezing point
depression to calculate the molecular weight of benzoic acid.

MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY:

 Vernier Computer Interface


 Computer
 Logger Pro
 Temperature probe
 Lauric acid
 Lauric acid-benzoic acid mixture
 Hot water bath
 400ml beaker
 Test tubes

Firstly, the masses of lauric acid, separately, then lauric acid- benzoic acid mixture were
measured out and put in two separate test tubes.The contents of the test tubes were left to melt by
dropping the test tubes in a beaker with boiling water. Connected to the vernier computer
interface , the temperature probe which was placed in the melted lauric acid and collection
started. The test tube was then placed in a beaker with tap water and after 10 minutes the
collection stopped. The graph was used to get the freezing point and it was recorded.

This process was done again for the lauric acid-benzoic acid mixture.

PRECAUTION:

 Wearing of lab coats to avoid contact with solid lauric acid


 The use of a utility clamp to bring out the test tubes from the boiling water bath to
avoid scalds from contact.

RESULTS:

Lauric acid mass (g) 2.00


Benzoic acid mass (g) 0.25
The temperature at which pure lauric acid freezes(oC) 41.92
Benzoic acid-lauric acid mixture freezing point(oC) 38.06

OBSERVATIONS:

 The freezing point of the benzoic acid-lauric acid mixture was lesser than that of lauric
acid.
PROCESSING THE DATA:

1) ∆T = Tf - Ti
∆T = 38.06 oC – 41.92 oC
∆T = /-3.86 oC/

To find molality (m):

∆T = Kf X m

Where Kf = 3.9oC.kg/mol, t =3.86 oC, m = ?

m = ∆T / Kf

m = 3.89 / 3.9

m = 0.9897mol/kg

2) Molality = moles of solute / mass of solvent


0.9897 = moles of solute / 0.002
Moles of solute = 0.9897 X 0.002
Moles of solute = 0.0019794moles of benzoic acid
3) Experimental molecular weight of benzoic acid = grams solute / moles solute
= 0.25 / 0.0019794
= 126.3g/mol
4) Accepted molecular weight of C6H5COOH = (12 X 6) + (1 X 5) + 12 + 16 + 16 + 1
= 122g/mol
5) Absolute difference between the actual and experimental values = /122 – 126.3/
= 4.3g/mol
Percent discrepancy = (Absolute difference between the actual and experimental
values/Actual yield) X 100%
Percent discrepancy = (4.3 / 122) X 100%
= 3.5% error

DISCUSSION:

` It was observed that the freezing point of the benzoic acid-lauric acid mixture was lower
than that of lauric acid. This is because at freezing point, the vapor pressures of the solvent’s
solid and liquid particles are equal due to the fact that they are at equilibrium. The introduction
of benzoic acid (a non-volatile solute) to lauric acid (a volatile solvent) will make the vapor
pressure of the solution to be lower than the vapor pressure of the pure solvent. This then leads to
the solid and the solution reaching equilibrium at a lower temperature than with the solvent alone
(freezing point depression).
The experimental molecular weight of benzoic acid was found to be 126.3g/mol
which differed from the actual value of 122g/mol by a 3.5% error. This slight error may be due
to the impurities in the lauric acid-benzoic acid mixture.

CONCLUSION:
This experiment was performed using the experimentally determined freezing point
depression to calculate the molecular weight of benzoic acid.The experiment was a success
because the molecular weight which was calculated using the experimental results was quite
close to the actual molecular weight of benzoic acid (that is, there was a low percent
discrepancy) therefore proving that molecular weights of acids can be determined using their
freezing point depressions.

Works Cited
LeMay, T. L. (2017). CHEMISTRY THE CENTRAL SCIENCE. Pearson.

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