Liem Limanto

Chem 162

Molecular Weight Determination by Freezing Point Depression

Date of Experiment: 11/4/10

Lab Partners: Andrea  Recorder

Corey  Manager

Liem  Technician
Objective: Determine the molecular weight of unknown compound using freezing point
depression

Method:

Part 1

We placed some distilled water in the test tube and prepared the salted-icebath in a
foam cup. We put the foam cup in the beaker to give it more stability. Using the
temperature probe, putting it into the distilled water, and putting the test tube into the
foam cup, we took the temperature data for couple of minutes to take the freezing point.

Part 2

We melted down the frozen distilled water and then put some grams of unknown
sample to the distilled water and stir it until it dissolved. Afterwards, we repeat the first
part procedure to take the temperature data.

Part 3

It is a repetition of part 2 but with double portion of the unknown sample.

Quantitative data:

3.90 ml distilled water

Unknown : B

Mass of the Unknown (1) = 0.230 grams

Mass of the Unknown (2) = 0.460 grams

Analysis:

The average molar mass of the unknown B:

Delta TFP

Water (oC) Water + 0.230 g uknown Water + 0.460 g unknown

(oC) (oC)
-2.20 -3.20 -5.20

Freezing point depression of solution: -2.20 – (-3.20) = 1.00oC

-2.20 – (-5.20) = 3.00oC

Calculate molal concentration: m = 1.00/1.86 = 0.53 molal

 m = 3.00/1.86 = 1.61 molal

Calculate the molar mass: MM = 111 g/mol

MM = 73.3 g/mol

Average MM = 92.1 g/mol for unknown B

Part 1 data was missing because of the temperature probe problem; therefore we did
not have the first part data. However, we noted that the freezing point was at -2.20oC.

Red  Part 2. This is the graph of distilled water with 0.230 grams of unknown B, it
reached its freezing point around -3.20oC.

Green  Part 3. This graph shows the cooling curve for the mixture of distilled water
with 0.460 grams of unknown B, it reached its freezing point around -5.20oC.

Conclusion

We meet the objectives of this lab which is calculating the molar mass of the unknown
compound using freezing point depression. This is the summary of the lab:

Theoretical freezing point of water : 0.00oC Kf for water : 1.86 oC/m

Experimental freezing point of water : -2.20oC

Unknown number : B
Freezing point of mixture : -3.20oC (0.230 g) & -5.20oC (0.460 g)

Molar mass of unknown: MM 1 = 111 g/mol & MM 2 = 73.3 g/mol. Average MM = 92.1
g / mol

*One thing I might do differently next time is check the temperature probe correctly
before starting the experiment; therefore I would get the data more properly and not
wasting the time.
Questions:

1. What would happen to the final result (what is final result?) if a significant amount
of water evaporated after measuring its mass in step(1)?

It will increase the final freezing point in a solution

2. What would happen to the final result if your lab partner added approx. 2.0g
(Instead of approx. 1.0g) of the unknown? You did not know.

It will make the final freezing point lower.

3. What would happen to the final result if your unknown actually has i=3?

It will increase the final freezing point from the formula ( delta Tfp = Kfp*m*i,
which if i increase, the delta Tfp will also increase).

4. Why is it not necessary to wait for the entire sample of water to freeze in order to
determine its freezing point?

The freezing point can be determined as long as part of the sample already
frozen and it reaches a constant temperature.

5. Why is it a good idea to measure the freezing point of the water instead of
assuming that is freezing point is exactly 0oC?

The actual freezing point of water is not exactly zero. It also helps to get a more
precise result in calculating the freezing point / molar mass of unknown in the
experiment.