CHEM 109

Introduction to Chemistry

Laboratory Exercise: The Volume of Hydrogen Gas

In this exercise we will generate and measure the volume of gaseous Hydrogen produced as a
result of a chemical reaction. This reaction involves mixing elemental Zinc with a fairly
concentrated aqueous solution of Hydrochloric Acid. Hydrogen gas is a product of the reaction,
as is aqueous Zinc Chloride.

Zinc(s) + Hydrochloric Acid(aq) Hydrogen(g) + Zinc Chloride(aq)

In terms of their respective chemical formulas, this reaction can be written as:

Zn(s) + 2 HCl(aq) H2(g) + ZnCl2(aq)

Note that for every atom of Zinc consumed, one molecule of Hydrogen is produced. If we
consume two Zinc atoms, then we will produce two Hydrogen molecules. Hence, the number of
molecules of Hydrogen produced is proportional to the amount of Zinc we start with. And, by
Avogadros Hypothesis, the more molecules Hydrogen gas produced, the greater will be the
measured volume of the gas. Thus,

Vol. Gas ~ Number of Hydrogen Molecules

~ Amount of Zinc Used

We will confirm this proportionality by collecting the Hydrogen gas produced during the
reaction, and measuring its volume, for varying amounts of Zinc reacted.

Now to the details of how to collect the Hydrogen gas. We must arrange our experiment such
that the Hydrogen gas produced is trapped so that its volume can be determined. We will do this
by attaching the reaction vessel to a tank filled with Water which is itself arranged such that the
Water will be pushed out as Hydrogen fills the tank. Using this arrangement, we can determine
the volume Hydrogen gas produced by simply measuring the volume of the displaced Water.

Thus, for a given amount of Zinc, we can determine the volume Hydrogen gas produced. Doing
this for different amounts of Zinc will allow us to confirm the proportionality proposed by
Avogadro.
Procedure
We are producing Hydrogen gas during this experiment. Hydrogen will react explosively with
the Oxygen in the Air if sparked. Therefore, you should have no open flames near your reaction
vessel.

1. Assemble the Reaction Apparatus as diagramed above. Use a 250 mL Erlenmeyer flask for
the Reaction Vessel. Use an 800mL Beaker to collect the Displaced Water.

2. Clean and dry the Beaker used to collect the Displaced Water.

3. Weigh out the suggested amount of Zinc:

0.2g
0.4g
0.6g
0.8g

Add it to the Reaction Vessel.

4. Measure ~10mL of the HCl solution into a small test tube. Make sure none of it
contaminates the outside of the test tube. Slide the test tube into the flask so that it does not
spill into the Zinc.

5. Your instructor will demonstrate the following step! Fill the Hydrogen Collection Tank
until its almost full of Water. With the pinch clamp on the delivery tube open, and the
Reaction Vessel unstoppered, establish a siphon from the Collection Tank to the Displaced
Water beaker. (A simple Pipette Bulb can be used to push the Water through the system
from the Reaction Vessel side of the Collection Tank.) Be sure and remove all air bubbles
in the delivery tube. Collect ~200 mL of Water in the Beaker, enough to completely cover
the delivery tube. Now, close the pinch clamp.

6. Connect the Hydrogen delivery tube to the Reaction Vessel and make sure the Vessel is
stoppered tightly.

7. Open the pinch clamp and level the Water in the Collection Tank with the Water in the
Displaced Water beaker. (This is done to ensure the gass pressure Pgas in the closed
system is the same as the atmospheric pressure Patm.) Close the pinch clamp when this is
the case.

8. Carefully lower the Beaker and remove the delivery tube from the beaker so as to not lose
the siphon. (If you do lose the siphon, you will have to start the leveling procedure all over
again.) Pour out all the Water in the Displaced Water beaker, dry the beaker and replace it.
Again, this must be done such that your siphon is not lost. Open the pinch clamp. If done
correctly, a little Water will dribble into the Displaced Water beaker as the siphon tries to
re-establish itself. However, the Water flow should cease almost immediately. If it does
 not, you have a leak in the system. If this is the case, check to make sure all the
connections are tight and re-level the system. (Why do we not need to subtract this bit of
Water from the volume of Water collected after the evolution of the Hydrogen gas is
complete?)

9. Tip the Reaction Vessel so that the Acid flows into the Zinc. Swirl the mixture. You
should observe the production of a gas after a few moments. Periodically swirl the system
again to make sure the reaction goes to completion.

10. When the reaction is complete, the level of the Water in the Collection Tank will remain
unchanged. At this point, again level the water in the two containers. Close the pinch
clamp.

11. Measure the volume of Water displaced using a large graduated cylinder.

12. Repeat this using a different mass of Zinc.

13. Record the barometric pressure. Your laboratory instructor will show you how to correctly
read the barometer.

14. Measure the temperature of the Air in the Room.

The Volume of Hydrogen Gas

Make appropriate observations and Record needed data here.

Name: Date:

Signature:
Data Analysis
1. Obtain volume data from a neighboring group such that you have data for all the suggested
amounts of Zinc.

Amt of Zinc [g] Total Volume Gas [mL]

2. The Volume data must be corrected to account for the fact that some Water vapor forms in
the collected Hydrogen gas. The vapor pressure of Water (PH2O) near Room Temperature
is given as:

Temp [oC] Vapor Press [mmHg]

18 15.5
20 17.5
22 19.8
24 22.4
26 25.2

The fraction of Water in the collected vapor will be:

frac. H2O =

Thus, the fraction of the Total Volume of gas collected that is Hydrogen is:

Vol. H2 = Tot. Vol. - (frac. H2O x Tot. Vol.)

Correct each of the above volumes to determine the Vol. H2 generated in each Trial.

Amt of Zinc [g] Volume Hydrogen [mL]

3. Plot this data. Is Avogadros Hypothesis consistent with the data? Explain.