Objectives:

1. To demonstrate the combined gas law.

2. To compute the molar mass of ammonia by using Graham’s law of diffusion.

Interpretation of Results
A. Combined Gas Law
The gas laws states that the volume of a fixed mass of a gass is inversely proportional to its
pressure and directly proportional to its absolute temperature. Theories derived from the gas
laws of Boyle, Charles’ law (also known as Gay-Lussac’s law), and Avogadro’s law are combined
to a single master equation.
(P1V1/n1T1) = (P2V2/n2T2)
We set up the necessary lab apparatus with accordance to the instructions set by our professor
and lab assistant. As a start, we dipped the dry-clean flasked in the beaker in water making sure
that there is about 1 inch allowance in the beaker’s surface with the flask’s lip held by a clamp
and the glass surfaces do not come in contact. The beaker was heated; and eventually, when
the water started to boil (temperatures reaching 96degC and above), we set the timer for at
least 10 more minutes of boiling to get our T1 – which is the temperature of air inside the flask.
As the 10 minutes of boiling time have elapsed, one of our groupmates are tasked to submerge
the flask into the trough filled with water (tap water), ensuring that the end of the corked flask
(w/ glass tubing) is tightly stoppered using a finger so that there will be nothing that can get in
the flask until it is submerged. Consequently, water will flow into the flask.
On this particular part of the experiment, we have identified a source of error which is,
according to step 6, we should manipulate the flask so that the level of water inside the flask is
equal to the level of water outside the flask. In other words, we should have tried moving the
flask so that the pressure inside the flask will be equal to atmospheric pressure (pressure
outside the flask). Admittedly, we assumed that we keep the flask as it is when it is submerged
inside the through, on the idea that there should be little to no water should flow inside it, as
based from another idea of the pressure built inside the flask due to heating should push
anything outside that is trying to get into the flask.
We did that for 10 minutes to allow the air inside the flask to attain the temperature of the cold
(tap) water. This will be the final temperature of the air inside the flask, T 2. On the end of the 10
minutes of submerging flask inside the water trough, we placed a finger on the end of the glass
tubing then we lift out the flask from the water. We poured the water inside the flask into a
100-mL graduated cylinder and recorded the amount (Vwater) is equal to the decrease in the
volume the air due to cooling exhibited by the flask upon attaining the temperature of the cold
water to the state of “equilibrium” in 10 minutes.
To determine the volume of air at the initial condition (V1); this is theoretical (or ideal) volume
of gas inside the flask before heating and submerging, we filled the flask to the brim or the edge
of the container on the point that it is about to overflow, and stoppered it with the cork with
glass tubing. As the excess water is pushed out by the cork, we removed it and poured the
contents to a 100-mL graduated cylinder.
One of our groupmates are asked to get the barometer reading from another room to
determine the atmospheric pressure of the laboratory. This will be the pressure of the air at the
temperature of boiling water, P1. Lastly, we determined the true value of the final volume of air
(cold water condition) using the combined gas law.
V2 = (P1V1T1)/(P2P1)
Data obtained from the experiment are as follows:
T1 = Temp. of boiling water in Kelvin = 96degC = 369.15K
T2 = Temp. of cold water in Kelvin = 32degC = 305.15K
P1 = Atmospheric pressure in mmHg (barometer reading) = 756mmHg
Vapor pressure of Water at T2 in mmHg; Given 32degC = 35.7mmHg
P2 = Final pressure of air in mmHg; P1 – (Vap. P. @ T2) = 756mmHg – 35.7mmHg = 720.3mmHg
Vwater = Volume of water collected in flask in mL = 96.5mL
V1 = Initial volume of dry air in mL; vol of water before heating and submerging = 148mL
V2 = True value of the final volume of air in mL = 51.78mL
Experimental value of V2 in mL = V1 – Vwater = 148mL – 96.5mL = 51.5mL
Percent error (*corrected) = [(51.78 – 51.5) / (51.78)] * 100% = 5.407x10-3 %
Conclusion (Part A)
In the end of the experiment, we have learned how the Combined Gas Law works in practice of
determining the unknown variable through gathering data from performing the experiment.
Boyle’s law defines a pressure-volume relationship, stating that the pressure and volume of a
gas are inversely proportional, given that the temperature is held constant. This law can be
exhibited when we try to squeeze an air-tight container, i.e. a balloon. Upon squeezing the
balloon, the volume of the container is reduced, say, about a half -- the pressure inside doubles
up. And when the walls of the balloon cannot contain the pressure anymore, the gas violently
tries to escape the container until it explodes.
P1V1 = P2V2
Charles’ law defines a Volume-Temperature relationship, stating that the volume of air is
directly proportional with the temperature, given that pressure is held constant. For example:
heating an air-tight container. Higher temperatures accelerate the molecules to a higher energy
state. Thus, the container expands (volume of the gas increases), to a certain point where the
container cannot contain the volume build-up inside, then it breaks.
V1/T1 = V2/T2
Avogadro’s law states that for a given mass of an ideal gas, the volume and amount (moles) of
the gas are directly proportional when the temperature and pressure are held constant.
Intuitively, when something increases in volume, there is also an increase in the amount of
mass.
V1/n1 = V2/n2
Combined gas law is the master equation that is derived from the gas laws of Boyle, Charles w/
Gay-Lussac, and Avogadro. This is a useful tool in remembering all three laws, in relation to
pressure, volume, temperature, and/or moles (n).
(P1V1/n1T1) = (P2V2/n2T2)
Sources of error is found in the discussion of results, which is, ” according to step 6, we should
manipulate the flask so that the level of water inside the flask is equal to the level of water
outside the flask. In other words, we should have tried moving the flask so that the pressure
inside the flask will be equal to atmospheric pressure (pressure outside the flask).”