CHEM 18.

1 37L | GROUP 4
EXERCISE #4 | 2018

Name: Aleksandre DC. San Gabriel Date Performed: September 5, 2018

Group: # 4 Date Submitted: September 17, 2018

COOLING CURVE
I. Introduction
Matter is something that occupies space and has mass. It is consisted of atoms and compounds
that makes up for the things we see and touch as well as for the things we can’t see every day.
A substance is a form of matter that has a definite (constant) composition and distinct
properties. Examples are water and ammonia. Substances differ from one another in composition
and can be recognized by their appearance, smell, taste, and other properties. A mixture is an
amalgamation of two or more substances in which the substances retain their distinct identities.
Some familiar examples are air and soft drinks. Mixtures do not have constant composition
(Chang, 2010).
Substances can be either elements or compounds. An element is a substance that cannot be
separated into simpler substances by chemical means. Compound, a substance composed of atoms
of two or more elements chemically united in fixed proportions. Unlike mixtures, compounds can
be separated only by chemical means into their pure components (Chang, 2010).
One of the most vital properties of matter is its phase or state. All substances may exist as solid,
liquid and gas. Water or H2O for example can exist in three states of matter, it can be interconverted
without altering the composition of the substance. Water in the form of solid is ice, and upon
adding heat, it melts and turns into liquid, with further heating as it reaches its boiling point it’ll
eventually change into gas.
In the science world, we use heating and cooling curves to model such physical changes. A
heating or cooling curve is a simple line graph that shows the phase changes a given substance
undergoes with increasing or decreasing temperature (Williams, 2016). The independent variable
which is time can be identified as the X-axis and the dependent variable is the temperature which
can be represented as Y-axis. The curve is obtained by plotting the temperature over time.
In 2000, Yaksic states that a solution consists mainly of solvent, thus physical properties of a
solution resemble those of the solvent. The physical properties that the solution and solute does
not share are known as colligative properties which are independent to the nature of the solute and
depend only upon on the concentration of a solute in a solution, which is measured in molality, or
moles of solute per kilogram of solvent. Some of these properties comprise osmotic pressure, vapor
pressure, freezing point and boiling-point elevation.
The tendency of solvent molecules to escape is called vapor pressure. The vapor pressure
becomes equivalent to the atmospheric pressure when the solvent reaches its boiling point. At this
temperature, the gaseous and liquid states of the solvent are in dynamic equilibrium, and the rate
of molecules going from the liquid to the gaseous state is equal to the rate of molecules going from
the gaseous state to the liquid state (Yaksic 2000). When the dissolution of a solute has very low
vapor pressure, or a nonvolatile solute, raises the boiling point raises and the freezing point lowers.

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The colligative property law states that the "freezing point and boiling point of a solution differ
from those of the pure solvent by amounts that are directly proportional to the molal concentration
or molality of the solute" (Brown, 2000). The colligative property equation is used to determine
the freezing point of a solution that can be expressed by:
𝑻𝒐𝒇 − 𝑻𝒇 = Kfm
Where ΔTf is the freezing point depression, Tf (solution) is the freezing point of the
solution, Tf (solvent) is the freezing point of the solvent, Kf is the freezing point depression
constant, and m is the molality of the solution.
The aims of this experiment are to be able to draw/construct a cooling curve for pure
substance and solution; to determine the freezing point of both the pure substance and solution; to
identify the compound based on its freezing point; to describe the freezing point depression; and
to compute the molecular mass of the compound using the freezing point depression data.

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II. Materials and Procedures

A. Materials
a) Reagents
 2.0 grams of Unknown Solvent
 0.2 grams of Unknown Solute

b) Apparatus and Equipment

 450 mL Beaker  Test Tube (10ml)
 Bunsen Burner  Thermometer (100 0C)
 Iron Clamp  Weighing Scale
 Iron Stand  Wire Gauze
 Stirring Rod

B. Procedures

Figure 1 Water bath setup

A. Preparation of Water Bath

Apparatuses and reagents required were gathered in the chemical laboratory

Water bath was prepared
Bunsen burner was used by using matchsticks and set the flame to medium
blue
The Bunsen burner was placed below the ring stand and wire gauze that
supports the 450 mL beaker
150 mL of water was poured inside the beaker

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B. Freezing Point of a Pure Compound

The apparatus and unknown solvent were gathered in the chemical laboratory
Test tube was weighed and so as the unknown solvent using a weighing scale
The test tube was placed inside beaker without touching any sides of the beaker
with the setup water bath, hence the water in the beaker is higher than the
unknown solvent on the test tube
The water bath was then heated, stirred using stirring rod to obtain thermal
homogeneity until the sample was melted
Thermometer was inserted on the test tube and then heated it for another 2
minutes
After heating, the sample was recorded for every 30 seconds
The physical state was observed and was continued to gather data until the
sample solidified

Figure 2 Setup in getting the freezing

point of an unknown solution
C. Freezing Point of a Solution
The water bath was prepared by setting up the iron stand, iron ring and putting a
wire gauze at top or the iron ring
Bunsen burner was placed underneath the iron ring with wire gauze
150 mL of water was poured inside the 450 mL beaker
2 grams of unknown solvent was measured and put in a test tube
.2 grams of unknown solute was mixed with the unknown solvent in the test tube
The test tube was placed in the water bath noting that the water level in the
beaker was higher than the solvent inside the test tube, thus the water was heated

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The water bath was stirred using the stirring rod to maintain the thermal
homogeneity until the substance turned into liquid state
The flame was turned off after two minutes
Temperature was recorded every 30 seconds until the substance solidified
The thermometer was placed inside the test tube when the substance was
melted and measured its temperature
Data was gathered, consequently, cooling curve of the solvent and the solution
were compared
III. Data/Observations
Table 1 Observation on cooling curve of unknown solvent at 30-second interval

Time (Sec) Temp (°C) Appearance Time (Sec) Temp (°C) Appearance
0 92 Liquid 780 71 Semi-solid
30 90 Liquid 810 70 Semi-solid
60 90 Liquid 840 70 Semi-solid
90 90 Liquid 870 68 Semi-solid
120 90 Liquid 900 66 Semi-solid
150 88 Liquid 930 64 Semi-solid
960 63 Solid
180 86 Liquid
990 61 Solid
210 85 Liquid
1020 60 Solid
240 83 Liquid
1050 59 Solid
270 82 Liquid
1080 58 Solid
300 81 Liquid
1110 58 Solid
330 80 Liquid
1140 57 Solid
360 78 Liquid 1170 56 Solid
390 78 Liquid 1200 56 Solid
420 76 Liquid 1230 55 Solid
450 75 Liquid 1260 54 Solid
480 74 Liquid 1290 54 Solid
510 74 Liquid 1320 54 Solid
540 74 Liquid 1350 53 Solid
570 74 Liquid 1380 52 Solid
600 74 Semi-solid 1410 51 Solid
630 74 Semi-solid 1440 51 Solid
660 74 Semi-solid 1470 51 Solid
690 74 Semi-solid 1500 51 Solid
720 72 Semi-solid 1530 50 Solid
750 72 Semi-solid 1560 50 Solid

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The table shows the recorded data of its temperature and appearance on 30-second
interval until the temperature reached at 50°C for the unknown solvent.
Table 2 Observation on cooling curve of unknown solvent and solute at 30-second interval

Temp
Time (sec) Appearance Time (sec) Temp (°C) Appearance
(°C)
Semi-solid Semi-
0 80 Liquid 660 69
liquid
Semi-solid Semi-
30 80 Liquid 690 68
liquid
Semi-solid Semi-
60 80 Liquid 720 68
liquid
Semi-solid Semi-
90 80 Liquid 750 67
liquid
Semi-solid Semi-
120 80 Liquid 780 66
liquid
Semi-solid Semi-
150 78 Liquid 810 66
liquid
Semi-solid Semi-
180 78 Liquid 840 65
liquid
Semi-solid Semi-
210 77 Liquid 870 65
liquid
Semi-solid Semi-
240 76 Liquid 900 64
liquid
270 75 Liquid 930 63 Solid
300 74 Liquid 960 62 Solid
330 72 Liquid 990 61 Solid
Semi-solid
360 71 1020 60 Solid
Semi-liquid
Semi-solid
390 70 1050 59 Solid
Semi-liquid
Semi-solid
420 70 1080 57 Solid
Semi-liquid
Semi-solid
450 70 1110 57 Solid
Semi-liquid
Semi-solid
480 70 1140 54 Solid
Semi-liquid
Semi-solid
510 70 1170 53 Solid
Semi-liquid
Semi-solid
540 70 1200 52 Solid
Semi-liquid
Semi-solid
570 70 1230 52 Solid
Semi-liquid

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Semi-solid
600 70 1260 52 Solid
Semi-liquid
Semi-solid
630 70 1290 52 Solid
Semi-liquid

The table shows the recorded data of its temperature and appearance on 30-second
interval until the temperature reached at 52°C for the unknown solvent and unknown solute.
Table 3 Cooling curve that shows the difference between the unknown solvent and solution at 30-second interval

Cooling Curve
100 100

90 90

80 80
TEMPERATURE

TEMPERATURE
70 70

60 60

50 50

40 40

TIME

Unknown Solvent Unknown Solute

This table shows the cooling graph for the unknown solvent and unknown solute, hence
how temperature is dependent to time.
Table 4 Data on the determination of the molecular mass of the unknown solute.

Unknown Solvent
Mass container + sample, g 21.17
Mass of container, g 19.17
Mass of sample, g 2
Freezing point, °C 74
Freezing point depression constant °C/m 6.9

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Unknown Solute
Mass container + sample, g 19.37
Mass of container, g 19.17
Mass of sample, g .2
Freezing point solution, °C 71
Molality mol/kg 0.435
Molecular Mass of unknown solute, g/mol 230

The table above shows the data needed to get the value for the molecular mass of the
unknown solute and for the molality.
Table 5 Data for unknown solvent

Possible Identities of Solvent:

Name Freezing point, Celsius Kf, Celcius-Kg/ mol
Benzophenone 49 9.8
Napthalene 80.2 6.9
Stearic acid 69.4 4.27
The table shows the possible identities to match with the unknown solvent.
Table 6 Data for unknown solute and molar mass

Unknown Solute Molar Mass

Hexanedioic acid 146 g/mol
Benzoic acid 122 g/mol
Glucose 180 g/mol

The table displays the different molar mass for the possible unknown solute.

IV. Discussion
Freezing Point of Pure Substance
Based on Table 1 Observation on cooling curve of unknown solvent at 30-second interval
exhibits that in the temperature of 74°C, the phase or appearance changes from liquid to semi-
liquid. Succinctly saying that the freezing point of the unknown solvent starts at 74°C. Based
on Table 5 Data for unknown solvent, Napthalene is said to have 80°C for its freezing point
which fits the optimum range and its freezing point depression 6.9 is the same which can
conclude that the unknown solvent is Napthalene.

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Freezing Point of a Solution

On Table 2 Observation on cooling curve of unknown solvent and solute at 30-second

interval shows that the solution started to solidify at 71°C. It displays that the freezing point of
unknown solvent is at 74°C whilst the freezing point of the unknown solution is at 71°C, hence,
signifies that the unknown solvent has higher freezing point than unknown solution.
Cooling Curve
Table 3 Cooling curve shows the difference between the unknown solvent and solution at
30-second interval. The freezing point for the unknown solvent is at 74°C and for the unknown
solution, 71°C. The difference between their temperature is 3°C. It can be inferred that the
unknown solution has lower freezing point than for the unknown solvent because of the
presence of solute in the solution. It is then called, freezing point depression.
Freezing point depression is the phenomena that describes why adding a solute to a solvent
results in the lowering of the freezing point of the solvent. When a substance starts to freeze,
the molecules slow down due to the decreases in temperature, and the intermolecular forces
start to take over. The molecules will then arrange themselves in a pattern, and thus turn into a
solid (Lumen Learning, 2008).
Determining the Molality of Solution and the Molecular Mass of the Unknown Solute

The molality of the solution can be computed by this deriving formula:

= ΔTf = kfm
𝚫𝐓𝐟 𝐤𝐟𝐦
= =
𝐤𝐟 𝐤𝐟
𝚫𝐓𝐟
=m=
𝐤𝐟

To get the molecular mass/molecular fraction, the equation was used

(𝒌𝒇)(𝒎𝒂𝒔𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒆)
MM solute =
𝚫𝐓𝐟 (𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭,𝒌𝒈)
Table 6 Data on the determination of the molecular mass of the unknown solute shows the
calculated value for the molality and molecular mass of the unknown solute. For the molality, the
calculated value was 0.435 mol/kg and for the molecular mass, the calculated value was 230 g/mol.
Using the Table 5 Data for unknown solute and molar mass, it can be deduced by saying that
the unknown solute is benzoic acid with 122 g/mol. The computed value for the molar mass is 230
g/mol. In yet with two monomers acted together, it formed dimers which are oligomers composed
of two monomers that are similar in structure and joined by a chemical bond. The bond where
benzoic acid fall under is called covalent dimers which uses covalent bonds to link monomers.
When dimers are dissociated with another, it’ll go back to its actual molar mass.

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Hence with the unknown solute of 230 g/mol, when dissociated, has 115 g/mol which is
relatively close to benzoic acid which has 122 g/mol based on Table 6.
Sources of Error
Listed below are the possible source of errors in this experiment:
a) Apparatuses being used
When transferring the solute and solvent to the test tube, henceforth, will affect the
determination of molality of solution and molecular mass of solvent.
When using the stirring rod, it should be continuous to achieve the thermal homogeneity
that may help for faster melting of the unknown solvent and solute.
The thermometer and weighing scale that were used are also factors for error, it may cause
inaccuracy like wrong readings that would be used for computing data.
b) Heat of the flame
The two setups for the Bunsen burner may differ because of the vigorousness of the flame
exerted. It will result to the inaccurate temperature readings.
c) Observation error
The 30-second interval is not accurate and precise, the observers as well are not that
attentive when measuring the data, leading to inaccuracy of the gathered data.
Structure of Solvent

Figure 4 Monomer benzoic acid Figure 3.1 Dimer benzoic acid

Recommendations
The following are some recommendations to improve the study for cooling curve:
a. By using apparatuses that are working properly, for accurate and precise data collection.
b. Use new cooling curve analysis method such as Simplified Energy Balance.
c. By means of using other substances to study more on the nature of freezing point.

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V. Conclusion
In this exercise, the identities of the unknown solvent and unknown solute where
identified using a cooling curve, where the liquid-solid phase coexists in equilibrium.
Through the data gathered in the cooling curve, it was deduced that the identities of the
unknown solvent and solute were naphthalene and benzoic acid, respectively. The freezing
point of naphthalene is 74°C and the benzoic acid is 71°C. Given the freezing point, the
difference between the solvent and solute based on temperature was 3°C. It can imply that
the solute had lower freezing point than the solvent which explains freezing point
depression which is the phenomena that describes why adding a solute to a solvent results
in the lowering of the freezing point of the solvent.
The calculated value for the molality was 0.435 mol/kg and its molar mass was 230
g/mol. The unknown solute was then identified as benzoic acid that exhibited covalent-
dimerization.

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VI. Literature Cited/Bibliography

Brown, LeMay, and Bursten (2000). Chemistry: The central science: laboratory experiments,
eighth edition. London, UK: Prentice-Hall International.
Chang, R. (2010). Chemistry . New York: McGraw-Hill.
Chemistry, I. o. (2018). CHEM 18.1: University Chemistry Laboratory. Los Baños.
Learning, L. (n.d.). Freezing Point Depression. Retrieved from Lumen Learning:
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/introchem/chapter/freezing-point-depression/
Reid, D. (n.d.). Dimer: Definition & Formation. Retrieved from Study.com:
https://study.com/academy/lesson/dimer-definition-formation-quiz.html#transcriptHeader
Yaksic, A. (n.d.). Colligative Properties: Freezing-Point Depression and Molar Mass.
Retrieved from Yaksic: https://www.yaksic.com/cp19.htm

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SAMPLE CALCULATION

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