DETERMINATION OF MOLECULAR WEIGHT THROUGH BOILING POINT ELEVATION

Kathleen Joyce Boado, Remuel Brian Bonifacio, Clarisse Jasmine Carlos, Jefferson Catacutan, Fidel Bryan Cenidoza
Group 2 3CBC Chem 402 Laboratory
ABSTRACT
Boiling point elevation implies a certain phenomenon that a solution has a higher boiling point than that of a pure solvent. In this
experiment, to determine the molecular weight of the solute used in the solution through boiling point elevation, a thermometer was
completely submerged in the 75.0 mL distilled water inside the hard glass tube. It was then heated and when the water starts boiling, the
temperature was observed. The average of the three temperature readings were computed, as it was performed three times. After this,
the hot distilled water was replaced by another 75.0mL of distilled water and 1.00g of sucrose. The same methods were performed to
determine the boiling point of the solution. After the experimentation, the computed molecular weight of the sucrose is 7.80g/mol.
INTRODUCTION
A solution is composed of one or more substances (solute) RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
that are homogenously dissolved with another substance In table 1, the boiling temperature of distilled water is shown
(solvent) and having a greater amount of the solvent than the in the first column. As sucrose was added to the distilled water,
solute. Physical properties are divided into two: extensive the purity of the solution was altered therefore increasing the
(mass, volume) and intensive (density, concentration) boiling temperature of the solution and is a colligative property
properties; however, another property, a subset of intensive is called the boiling point elevation [3].
known as colligative properties and is only applicable in Table 1. Observed Boiling Temperatures
solutions [1]. Colligative properties are the properties OBSERVATIONS TRIAL1 TRIAL2 TRIAL3 MEAN
dependent on concentration, but not the nature of solute present Boiling 367 K 368 K 369 K 368 K
in a solution. In the case of dissolving a solute with a solvent, Temperature of
it would elevate the boiling point of the solvent, and the Distilled Water
increased amount of solute would make the boiling point higher Boiling 369 K 369 K 368 K 369 K
[2]. Temperature of
The changes observed in the properties of a pure liquid when Solution
it is used as a solvent can be determined using Raoult's Law. It Using the formula for boiling point elevation:
states that the vapor pressure of the pure liquid is equal to the ∆T b = Kb m
mole fraction of the solvent multiplied by the mole fraction of Wherein:
the liquid [3]. But in the experiment's case, molality is used ∆Tb is the difference between the boiling temperature of the
rather that mole fraction to find the molecular weight of a solid. solution and the pure solvent
When a non - volatile solute is added to a pure solvent, the Kb is the molal boiling point elevation constant (˚C/m)
solution would have a higher boiling point than the pure m is molality
solvent. This is because there is a need to a higher temperature The molality of the solution was determined using the
in the presence of a non - volatile solute. This means that the formula. Direct substitution was made and ∆T b was divided by
solution couldn't boil at the same temperature as the pure K b to get 2.564 m [4]. Then, the moles of the solute was

solvent because the vapor pressure of the solution is lower than calculated via molality formula. The molality obtained was
that of the pure solvent. The vapor pressure of the non - volatile multiplied by the amount of solvent in kilograms to get the
solute should always be less than the vapor pressure of the pure moles of solute which is 0.1282 mol. And finally to get the
solvent. For example: temperature of the boiling point of the molecular weight of sucrose, 1 gram of sucrose was divided by
pure solvent, the solution will not boil since vapor pressure of the number of moles which is 0.1282 mol to get 7.80 g/mol.
solution is less than vapor pressure of pure solvent. Inferring Unfortunately, the percentage error computed is very high
that the vapor pressure of the solution is less than the external which was caused by personal errors and the lack of ample time
pressure. To achieve boiling point elevation, the solution should to finish the experiment.
boil and to do that is to increase the vapor pressure to be equal Table 2. Values Obtained from the Experiment
to that of the external pressure by increasing the temperature of Atmospheric Pressure 0.9970 atm
the solution [4]. Room Temperature 25.0 ˚C
As noted above, the boiling point elevation is dependent on Molal Boiling Point Elevation Constant 0.39 ˚C/m
the concentration of the solute in the solution but not the Distilled Water used in the solution 50 mL
particular nature of the solute and is thus a colligative property. Molality of Sucrose 2.564 m
In the experiment, it aims to determine the boiling point of the Theoretical Molecular Weight of Sucrose 342.30 g/mol
pure solvent and the solution and to compute the molecular Experimental Molecular Weight of 7.80 g/mol
weight of the solute in the solution using boiling point Sucrose
elevation. Percentage Error 97%
METHODOLOGY CONCLUSION
Materials used: The objectives of the experiment were all performed as the
Sucrose, distilled water experiment ended. The boiling point of water was determined
Procedure: and the boiling point of it obtained is 368K. The boiling point
of the solution was also determined which is 369K. The
Exactly 50.00 mL of distilled water molecular weight of the solute used in the solution was also
was transferred to a hard glass test computed with the use of boiling point elevation formula. The
tube and was heated to boil. experimental molecular weight computed was 7.80 g/mol, and
the percentage error is 97%.
temperature where the liquid started REFERENCES
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