EXPERIMENT 5

MELTING POINT DETERMINATION

LAB EXERCISES

NAME: Baclig, Owen Daelen S. DATE: April 14, 2021

Faculty: Engr. Pinky Joy Janaban SCORE: ________________

1. Two samples have the exact same melting points. Are they the same compound? How could you tell
for sure?

According to Lisa Nichols (2021), various compounds happened to coincidentally exhibit

identical melting points. Therefore, there must be precautious deliberations when identifying unknown
compounds based solely on matching the known and unknown sample compounds' melting point. Hence,
it can be concluded that identical or near-identical melting points are not always proof that the two
compounds are similar to each other. However, a technique known as the mixed melting point
determination provides a certain way to identify an unknown sample compound.

To be more precise, let's take, for instance, if an unknown compound is identified to be one of the
known compounds, both exhibiting the same melting point, the unknown compound can be mixed into
one of the known compounds, which will result in a melting point value of the mixture. Now, if the
melting point range is observed to be lowered and widened, it would probably mean that the two
compounds are different from each other, whereas if the melting point stays the same, it is assumed that
the two compounds are considered to be likely identical.

In conclusion, two compounds with identical melting points could possibly an indication that they
are the same compound; however, if the melting point range is lowered and widened upon undergoing the
mixed melting point determination, it could also imply that even though they exhibit exact same melting
points, they could be likely different compound from each other.

2. You have two samples of mannitol. One melted between 168º-169º and the other melted between 161º-
168º. Which sample has the greater purity? Why?

An impure sample of compounds have lower ranges of melting temperature melting compared to
a pure compound. Likewise, impure solids do melt over a broader range of melting temperatures. This
phenomenon is called the "melting point depression." Furthermore, the smaller the melting range, the
higher the purity of the sample. Therefore, the mannitol sample that melted between 168ºC - 169ºC has
greater purity compared to the other one (161ºC - 168ºC). Moreover, narrow ranges of melting
temperature that corresponds to the given compound's known melting point will be obtained if the two
sample substances were the same (pure). Whereas for low or broad melting temperature ranges, it
signifies that two different substances were present within the mixture (impure).
3. What are the factors that affect the melting point?

The composition of molecules (molecular size), the force of attraction (presence of polarity), and
the presence of impurities can significantly affect the melting point of a substance. When molecules are
packed together in a tight manner, it corresponds to a higher melting point than a substance with
molecules that are not packed well. Likewise, smaller molecules tend to melt at lower temperatures. In
terms of the force of attraction, a substance that exhibits strong attraction between its molecules indicates
a higher melting point. Generally, ionic compounds have high melting temperature points due to the
electrostatic forces that connect the ions or the ion-ion interaction characterized as strong forces of
attraction. The presence of polarity (especially the hydrogen bonding), particularly on organic
compounds, results in a higher melting temperature. Hence, polar substances possess higher melting
points compared to non – polar substances. Furthermore, impure solids exhibit melting point depression
in which it melts at lower and wider temperature range. Due to impurities, intermolecular interactions
between the molecules are easily overcome.

4. Name three intermolecular forces that hold organic molecules together as solids.

The forces of attraction that exist between all molecules and atoms are the ones who are
responsible for why solids exist. The London Dispersion forces, dipole-dipole forces, and hydrogen bonds
are the reasons why the organic molecules hold together as solids.