Experiment 14

Molar Mass of a Solid

CHEM-1112-04

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Spring 2019

Swati Mohan

Emilio Molina
Objective:
The objective of this experiment were to observe and measure the
effect of a solute on the freezing point of a solvent and to determine
the molar mass of the unknown solute labeled. The colligative property
of freezing point depression was theory at work behind what was
observed in the experiment trials.

Introduction:
The purpose of this experiment were to find the molar mass of the
unknown solute using the freezing point depression as the colligative
property and measure the effect of the solute on the freezing point of
the solution. This experiment is performed in order to obtain the data
needed to calculate the molar mass of the unknown solute through
finding the moles of the solute using the following equation.
(∆Tf= kf x molality)
The hypothesis of this experiment are that the solute added should
lower the freezing point of the solution. As the equation states, the
more grams of solute added, will result in the ∆Tf to become larger.
Procedure:
The instruments used in this experiment included multiple sized
beakers, a thermometer, a test tube, a clamp, and a stop watch. We
recorded the data of the changing freezing point. The test tube was
used to contain the cyclohexane and the unknown solute, and the
clamp was used to keep the test tube stable throughout the
experiment. After having everything settled up, we waited to see how
much the temperature raised or decreased.
As you can see in the image down below, you can appreciate how the
experiment was done and how the data was recorded as well.
Calculation:
Results and Discussion
Based on the Laboratory Manual the results were as expected. The
experiment was performed exactly as the manual says and the results
were similar as well. The fact that the temperature dropped as the
solute was added means that the equation of ∆Tf is true and that the lab
was performed correctly. Some errors that may have altered the results
of the experiment include not maintain the freezing point of the ice
bath by adding more ice when the ice melted away. Also some of the
solute was stuck in the walls and did not mix with the cyclohexane
which must have thrown of the results a bit.

Conclusion:
We concluded the freezing point cyclohexane with our unknown solute
B. The solvent results change with the presence with the increase with
the number of solute particles in the solution and not their chemical
composition. We concluded that the solute affects the freezing point of
the solvent. More solute the faster the solvent freezes.
Laboratory Questions:
1. If some of cyclohexane was evaporated during the experiment. The resulting on freezing point
recorded would be too high. Freezing point is directly proportional to molality and lowering the
amount of cyclohexane would increase the molality and hence the freezing point would be greater
than actual value.

2. If the thermometer is mis calibrated to the temperature, the moles of solute found now would be
too high. Molality and moles of solute is directly proportional to the freezing point of the solution and
any increase in freezing point would result in an increase in moles of solute.

3. If some of solute did not dissolve in solution but remained adhered to the side of the vessel, the
resulting molar mass of solute calculated would be lower than the actual value. Molar mass is
inversely proportional to the freezing point of solution and thus increasing the freezing point as
lesser amount of solute is present in solution would decrease the molar mass calculated.

4. If some of cyclohexane solvent evaporated during experiment, the solute concentration in solution
would be higher. Such that molality goes up, so the freezing point of solution would go further down.
The freezing point thus recorded would be too low than actual value.

5. If solute dissociates at temperature of the experiment. The resulting molar mass of solute would
be too low than actual value. Solute dissociates would increase the freezing point of solution which
is inversely proportional to molar mass of solute.

6. The pure solvent has a fixed amount of solvent molecule interaction and thus freezing point
remains a constant. On the other hand when solute is added to make a solution, the solute now
disrupts the normal intermolecular bonding between solvent molecules. The solute goes and sits
between the solvent molecules and thus we need to reduce the temperature lower than pure solvent
to reach the intermolecular bonds and freezing point. Therefore till all the solute present in solution
makes the solution incapable of freezing the temperature keeps going down. But once all has
become solid (enough intermolecular bonds formed) the solution freezes, temperature becomes
constant.

7. With freezing point of solution too high, the molar mass calculated from it would be too low.
Freezing point is inversely proportional to molar mass of solute.