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 - 3oC 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
propanol 97-98
2-propanol 82-83
 Name_______________________________
Name_______________________________
Period______________________________
Date________________________________

DETERMINATION OF BOILING POINTS

Data Table:

Practice Compounds:

boiling
compound
range o
- C

boiling
compound
range o
- C

Unknown:

boiling
compound
range o
Unknown # ___________ - 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:

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

b) placing the liquid in a pressure cooker?

 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:

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 100C.