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CHM155L PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY

FOR ENGINEERS 1 (LABORATORY)

EXPERIMENT 1
DETERMINATON OF MOLAR
MASS OF A VOLATILE LIQUID BY
VAPOR-DENSITY METHOD
[Learning Outcomes
• Estimate the molar mass of volatile liquids
from their vapor densities at a temperature
above their boiling points using the Dumas
method. (CO1, CO4, CO5)
• Use the ideal gas law in the pertinent
calculations in the experiment. (CO1, CO4,
CO5)
[Introduction
Dumas method
[Introduction
Dumas method

Heating the liquid above its boiling point

[Introduction
Dumas method

Allowed to escape in a tiny orifice

[Introduction
Dumas method

After vaporization, the container is

cooled to allow condensation
[Introduction
Dumas method

Weigh
[Introduction
Dumas method
Measure during the
Temperature is noted. evaporation of the liquid

Pressure is measured barometer

Volume is measured Mass of water to fill up

the container
Converted to volume
using density of water

nvapor = ProomV/RTBP
[Introduction
Dumas method

Mass of vapor

MM= m/n
[Assumptions
• Sample is not so volatile that it will escape
thru the orifice as the container cools.
• The gas behaves ideally. No interaction.
[“MISSING” AIR
Flask + Al foil + Cu wire
Flask + Al foil +
+ AIR + vapor +
Cu wire + AIR condensed vapor

Part of air is displaced by the

vapor

THE MASS OF AIR DISPLACED

MUST BE ACCOUNTED
[“MISSING” AIR
THE MASS OF AIR DISPLACED
MUST BE ACCOUNTED

=
Mole of air
Mole of vapor
displaced at
at room temp
room temp

nvapor= PvaporV/RTroom
[Objectives
• Illustrate one of the many applications of
ideal gas equation

• Determine the approximate molecular

weight of a volatile substance by the Dumas
method
[MATERIALS
• 2-propanol; ethanol; ethyl acetate

• Analytical balance; beaker, 125-mL E. flask,

Bunsen burner or hotplate, wire gauze,
thermometer, barometer
[DUMAS SET-UP
[Procedure
Empty 125-mL
Note Proom
E. flask
• Weigh
• Cover with Al foil secured with Cu wire
Covered E. flask
• Weigh
3-4 mL unknown sample
• Immerse in H2O bath with boiling stones
• Complete the set-up
Water level must cover
Unknown sample in most of the flask. Water
Dumas set-up should not enter the flask.

A
B A
• Heat to boil until evaporation of the sample
• Note the temperature of water
• Remove the flask from the set-up
Hot E. flask
• Cool to Troom
• Dry the outside of the flask and weigh
Flask with
condensed sample
[Procedure
Empty 125-mL
Note Proom
E. flask
• Weigh
• Cover with Al foil secured with Cu wire
Covered E. flask
• Weigh
3-4 mL unknown sample
• Immerse in H2O bath with boiling stones
• Complete the set-up
Water level must cover
Unknown sample in most of the flask. Water
Dumas set-up should not enter the flask.

B A
B A
• Heat to boil until evaporation of the sample
• Note the temperature of water
• Remove the flask from the set-up
Hot E. flask
• Cool to Troom
• Dry the outside of the flask and weigh
Flask with
condensed sample
• Remove Al foil and Cu wire
• Clean the flask thoroughly
Clean E. flask
• Fill almost completely with water Note Troom

C
 C
• Dry the outside of the flask
and put on the balance
E. Flask on the balance
• Completely fill with water
• Record the weight
end

Unknown A Group 1
Unknown B Group 2
Unknown C
[Safety Precaution
Do not inhale vapors
for long periods of time
[Safety Precaution
Avoid skin contact
[Safety Precaution
Wipe the spill using tissue
paper and allow to evaporate
in the fumehood.
[Safety Precaution
After injection, the plunger
should be pulled out of the
syringe body to dry in the
hood.
[AFTER THE EXPERIMENT
• Complete the report sheet and have it
signed by the professor
• Submit also the calculation per group

• Make a post-laboratory report. Attach the

pre-laboratory report.
[Required information
• Density of water at room temp
• VP of 2-propanol, ethanol and ethyl acetate
at room temperature