Experiment 2

Determination of the Identity of an Unknown Liquid

Purpose
The purpose of the experiment is to determine the identity of the unknown liquid by calculating
its density and boiling point. The density of the unknown substance is measured by measuring its weight
at a measured volume three times for each of the glassware. The boiling point of the unknown substance
is determined using an apparatus that heats up the substance to a certain temperature.
Calculations
The mass of the liquid is determined by subtracting the mass of the empty cylinder from the mass
of the cylinder with the liquid.
Sample calculation of the mass of liquid from Table 1:
Calculation of liquid mass using data from Trial 1:
Mass liquid = (Mass cylinder + liquid) Mass empty cylinder
Mass liquid = 83.29g 71.10g
Mass liquid = 12.2g
The density is determined by dividing the mass over the volume of the liquid.

m
V
= density

Sample calculation of density from Table 1:

Calculation of density using data from Trial 1:

m
V

12.2 g
15.0 mL

=0.813

g
mL

m = mass

V = volume

Graph

Density
40
35
30
25
Mass of liquid (mL)

20
15
10
5
0
5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

Volume of liquid (mL)

Slope of line of best fit:

Density = Slope of the line

slope=

rise
run

Density =

( 2513 ) g
( 3116 ) mL

Density = 0.800

g
mL

Discussion
1. The key data in identifying the unknown substance are the mass and volume of the liquid, and the
boiling temperature. The data that was not useful are the physical properties of the substance.
2. The volumetric pipette has the best accuracy and precision based on the data compared to the
graduated cylinder and burette. The burette gave the lowest range of values, 0.8031 0.8041
g/mL, followed by the volumetric pipette, 0.8050 0.8015 g/mL, then followed by the graduated
cylinder with the biggest range of values, 0.807 0.813 g/mL, because of its high uncertainty.
The pipette gave the closest value of 0.8015g/mL to the density of ethanol, 0.789g/mL, based on

3.

4.

5.
6.

7.
8.

the Physical Constants of Organic Compounds table [2]. The pipette would be the best choice if
the experiment was repeated.
For the graduated cylinder, the precision of the results are limited by the nature of the device
because of its high uncertainty. A significant source of error for the pipette is the droplets of the
substance that was stuck in the pipette that affected the measured mass. A significant source of
error for the burette is the tiny air bubble that was stuck below the stopcock that affected the
measured mass.
With reference to my results, choosing the best method in determining the density of the liquid is
impractical because the result from calculating numerically and graphically is the same. A
disadvantage for choosing the result from graphs over calculating numerically is when outliers
are present.
No data points were excluded in the analysis.
The accuracy and precision of the determined boiling point for the unknown substance, 78.2C,
was acceptable in comparison to the boiling point value for ethanol, 78.5C, in the Physical
Constants of Organic Compounds table [2].
The accuracy and precision of the calculated boiling point of the unknown substance was more
acceptable compared to the determined density of the unknown substance.
Some improvements that would increase the reliability of the results is to have the proper
temperature of the liquid where the Physical Constants of Organic Compounds table [2] based on,
20C, and the proper atmospheric pressure of the laboratory.

Conclusion
The calculated density and boiling point of the unknown substance is 0.800

g
mL

and 78.2C,

g
respectively. The unknown substance is identified to be ethanol with 0.789 mL
78.5C boiling point.

density and