2. Compare your findings in (1) with the literature.

Calculate the percentage error and

discuss on the discrepancies (if any).

From Part (1), the liquid diffusivity for different concentration of NaCl solution is
determine and tabulated in Table X as below.

Table X: Diffusivity of NaCl solution at different concentration

Concentration (mol/L) Diffusivity (m2/s)

0.5 1.91 × 10-4
1.0 2.06 × 10-4
1.5 2.58 × 10-4
2.0 3.73 × 10-4

To determine the validity of the diffusivity obtained from the experiment, a literature
that proposed by Siqueira et. al. (2022) that tabulated in Table X showed below is used to
compared with the result obtained. Since the diffusivity of 1.5 M NaCl is not available in the
literature, interpolation method is used to obtain the value of diffusivity at 1.5 M NaCl
solution.

Interpolation from 1.0 M NaCl to 2.0 M NaCl:

1.5−1.0 D−1.285 ×10−9

=
2.0−1.0 1.504 ×10−9−1.285 ×10−9

D= ( 1.5−1.0
2.0−1.0
( 1.504 ×10 −9
)
−1.285 ×10−9 ) +1.285 ×10−9

D = 1.395 × 10-9

Table X: Theoretical diffusion coefficient at different concentration (Siqueira et.at., 2022)

Concentration (mol/L) Diffusivity(m2/s)

0.5 1.447 × 10-9
1.0 1.285 × 10-9
1.5 1.395 × 10-9
2.0 1.504 × 10-9
The percentage error between the value obtained from the literature and experiment can be
calculated by using the equation that showed below:

Experimental value−Theorectical value

Percentage error = ×100 %
Theorectical value

For 0.5 M NaCl:

−4 −9
1.91 ×10 −1.447 ×10
Percentage error = −9
×100 %=13199624 %
1.447 ×10

For 1.0 M NaCl:

−4 −9
2.06 ×10 −1.285× 10
Percentage error = −9
× 100 %=16031028 %
1.285 ×10

For 1.5 M NaCl:

2.58 ×10−4 −1.395× 10−9

Percentage error = × 100 %=18494524 %
1.395 ×10−9

For 2.0 M NaCl:

−4 −9
3.73 ×10 −1.504 ×10
Percentage error = ×100 %=24800432 %
1.504 × 10−9

The percentage error between literature data and experimental data for each concentration is
tabulated in Table X as below.

Table X: Percentage error between diffusivity obtained from literature and experiment.

Concentration (mol/L) Percentage Error (%)

 0.5 13199624
1.0 16031028
1.5 18494524
2.0 24800432

From the calculated percentage error, the percentage error is far too high to prove the
validity of the experimental finding about the diffusivity of sodium chloride, NaCl. The huge
discrepancy between experimental value and the value reported in the literature may be due
to the error in the apparatus used to measure the conductivity as well as the errors that
occurred during the experiment. For example, the formation of bubble in the J-tube and
around the probe may obstruct the conductivity meter, leading to an inaccurate conductivity
measurement. Moreover, accuracy issue can arise when the systematic error occurs while
measuring the volume of deionized water. The diffusivity will be impacted by the erroneous
volume taken. Furthermore, the unexpected percentage error may also be the result of the
incomplete mixing of the salt ion and deionized water by the stirrer. A higher speed may
require to achieve a well mixing condition. Additionally, improperly cleaned equipment such
as J-tube and beaker that might be poison can cause the diffusivity value from the experiment
to be invalid.

Beside from that, environment issue such as temperature also play an important role
because a change in temperature will result in the change of conductivity. Although
temperature is assumed to be constant in the experiment, but the stirrer is working in the high
speed throughout experiment, heat might be generated lead to the increasing of temperature
which cause an inconsistent of temperature value that affect the accuracy of the obtained
experimental data. As temperature of solution increase, it results in an increase in
conductivity too as a higher temperature could cause ionic compound to split, leading to an
increasing number of ions in the solution which will result to the increasing of conductivity.
Other from that, the increasing of temperature will also result in a lower viscosity that will
increase the ion mobility in the water. The ability of the ion to carry the charger increases,
hence increase the conductivity value (Experiment: Diffusion Coefficient of NaCl in water,
2018). Not only that, the diffusivity outlined in the literature is measured at various
temperatures in a range from 292 K to 297 K. This would also be one of the factors
contributed to the high percentage error.
 Additionally, time could also be the factor to the high percentage error between
literature data and experimental data. Since the data for each concentration is recorded in 15
minutes, it may not be able to obtain an accurate value of C M value which will eventually lead
to the deviation of diffusivity value. A longer period of time such as 30 minutes to 60 minutes
is required to provide a more precise data. Lastly, the position of probe that placed in the
beaker will also cause the deviation of diffusivity value. It is because if probe is placed
neared to the surface of J-tube that the salt ion diffuses into the water, it will definitely show
a higher conductivity. If probe is not fixed in the same places, it is no doubt that a higher
percentage error is obtained between value from literature and experiment.

Experiment: Diffusion Coefficient of NaCl in water., 2018. [online] UKEssays. Available at:
<https://www.ukessays.com/essays/chemistry/experiment-diffusion-coefficient-nacl-
2563.php?vref=1> [Accessed 4 November 2022]

Siqueira, A. M. de O. , Chaves, G. L., Tanure, J. de S., Dutra, L. V., Souza, N. B. de, &
Vianna, T. C., 2022. Determination of the diffusion coefficient in sodium chloride solution at
different concentrations. The Journal of Engineering and Exact Sciences, 8(3), 14053–01e.
https://doi.org/10.18540/jcecvl8iss3pp14053-01e