Melting Point Determination Lab

Purpose:
The purpose of this experiment was to learn the technique of melting point
determination, observe effect of impurities on the melting point, and identify an
unknown by measuring its melting point.
Results:
In this experiment no unusual observations were observed. This lab exceeded its
expectations by exhibiting precise results from both recording the melting point
from standpoint and from the melting point apparatus.
Discussion/Conclusion:
The experiment went as expected with no unusual events that would have
introduced error. Using the data collected, the measurements were made to be as
precise as possible. Fairly enough, both methods of determination not only
exhibited precise results in regard to one another, but also revealed as an accurate
result for each compound’s theoretical melting point range. While mixing the
compound biphenyl with coumarin, a noticeable decrease in melting point was
observed, which proves the statement that impurities in a substance influences both
the melting point and the melting point range. The melting points observed came
out to be as precise as the actual melting point ranges. Benzophenone was recorded
as 49.8C, Biphenyl as 70.7C, and Vanillin as 83.1C.

To continue, while mixing the unknown with each compound, benzophenone stuck
out in particular, for it slightly began to melt before even placing the compound in
the machine. This was a clue that the melting point range had to lie somewhere
between the expected from 48-52C.
Lastly, three possible sources of experimental error could have taken place. One
possible source being too much of a sample of a substance could have drastically
changed the melting point of the substance as too much could take more time
melting, which could have altered the melting point and led the results to not be as
precise as they should be. Second, another possible error could have involved the
room temperature of where the experiment was taken place. With a high room
temperature, it could have caused the samples to have melted at a faster speed
leading the melting point to be much different than what its range is supposed to be.
Lastly, a third error could have involved not setting the melting point apparatus to
the proper set temperature for the beginning and end recordings, which could have
had a major impact on the end results. Overall, the experiment succeeded in
showing the purpose to learn the technique of melting point determination and why
it is important to identify and observe these melting points.