Experiment 1

DETERMINATION OF MOLECULAR MASS BY VAPOR DENSITY:

DUMAS METHOD

OBJECTIVE:

To determine the molecular mass of an unknown volatile liquid using Dumas Method.

INTRODUCTION:

In the experiment, the Dumas Method was used to calculate the molar mass of a volatile

liquid. Dumas method is an old method that is used rarely. In this method, a known volume of

gas is weighed at a known temperature. After converting the volume of the gas to standard

temperature and pressure, we can determine what fraction of a mole that volume represents.

From that fraction, one can easily calculate the molecular mass of the substance.

PROCEDURE:

1.) Using a hot plate, ring stand, 2 utility clamps, 600 ml beaker, 125 ml Erlenmeyer flask, a

split stopper and thermometer, we assembled the apparatus as shown in the handout

provided. We used split stopper to help clamp the thermometer.

2.) We put sufficient water in the 600 ml beaker enough to surround the bottom and neck of

the 125 ml Erlenmeyer flask.

3.) We put the flask in a slight angle.

4.) At a temp of 28 degree Celsius, we remove the flask and weigh its mass.
 5.) After weighing, we put 2 ml of unknown liquid and was mixed with two drops of methyl

red which served as an indicator that the liquid already vaporized.

6.) We cover the mouth of the flask with foil tighten it with the use of rubber hand. Holes

were made to the foil.

7.) It was heated after.

8.) Thermometer was placed as closed to the mouth of the flask and the temperature was

recorded the amount where vapor was noticed. And,

9.) Three trials were made and data were recorded as shown in the result.

RESULT:

Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3

1. Mass of 125 ml flask (g) 91 90.65 90.91
2. Mass flask with water (g) 232 233.65 232.87
3. Mass of water (g) 141 143 141.96
4. Temperature water bath (C) 91 90 89
5. Temp. with deionized (start) (C) 28 30 29
6. Temp. with deionized (final) (C) 44 46 51
7. Pressure, atm 1 1 1

CALCULATION:

Assuming density of water is 1.00 g/ml

Trial 1:

Mass of flask with water - mass of flask = mass of water

V flask 1 = 141g / 1 g/ml = 141 ml

Trial 2:

V flask 2 = 143 ml
Trial 3:

V flask 3 = 141.96 ml

PV = g/MM RT

MM = g*RT/PV ……

DISCUSSION:

We can’t calculate the molar mass of the unknown volatile liquid since the mass of

condensed gas wasn’t obtained for the gas was not clearly observed when it vaporized. Factor

also was the indicator we used (methyl red) just died inside the flask rather vaporized.

CONCLUSION:

We can actually compute for the molar mass of the unknown liquid if all the above data

were available. Only that, the experiment failed to have it because we weren’t able to compute.