DETERMINATION OF CRITICAL SOLUTION TEMPERATURE

AIM:

To determine the critical solution temperature for Phenol-water system.

APPARATUS REQUIRED:

Beaker, Water bath, Graduated pipette, Measuring Cylinder etc.

THEORY:

The phase rule expresses the condition of equilibrium by the relation between the no. of the co-
existing phases and the components and is given as F = C + 2 – P

When two partially miscible liquids are mixed and shaken together, we get two solutions of
different compositions. For example, on shaking phenol and water, we get two layers. The upper
layer is a solution of water in phenol & the lower layer is a solution of phenol in water. At a
fixed temperature, the composition of each solution is fixed and solutions are in equilibrium.
Two solutions of different composition existing in equilibrium with one another are known as
conjugate solutions. Above a particular temperature, such solutions are completely miscible in all
proportions; such temperature is known as critical solution temperature. The mutual solubility
increases with temperature. In this experiment, mixtures of phenol and water of varying
compositions are taken and their miscibility temperatures are determined. The miscibility
temperatures are plotted against their compositions. The maximum temperature point on the
curve obtained is the critical solution temperature.

PROCEDURE:
1. Add 1 ml of water to 5 ml of phenol in a test tube and heat the contents by inserting the test
tube in hot water beaker.

2. On heating the two solutions will become a single layer so that turbidity disappears. Note
down that miscibility temperature.

3. Take the test tube outside then allow it to cool slowly till the turbidity reappears. Note down
that temperature also.

4. Repeat the same procedure by adding one more ml to the mixture of phenol water taken
already upto 6-7 ml of water addition.

5. Note down different turbidity disappearing and appearing temperatures for each 1 ml addition
of water to phenol.

6. Plot a graph of miscibility temperature versus % of Phenol. The maximum temperature is the
Critical Solution Ttemperature of the system.
Tabular Column for the Determination of miscibility temperature

S NO Volume Volume % of Miscibility Temperature °C

of Phenol of Water Phenol Turbidity Turbidity Mean
(Va) (Vb) Va/Va+Vb disappears appears Value
1 5 1
2 5 2
3 5 3
4 5 4
5 5 5
6 5 6
7 5 7
8 5 8

MODEL GRAPH:

Miscibility temperature Vs Vol. % of phenol

RESULT:

The critical solution temperature for Phenol water system is found to be __ °C