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PRE-LAB QUESTIONS
1. Why is this investigation carried out in a basin of ice water that is at or near 0degrees Celsius (C)? - This experiment is carried out in a basin of ice water at the given temperature because it calls for one to confirm the accepted molar volume of 22.4 liters per mole at the standard temperature and pressure, which are 0C and 760 mmHg (1 atm). By setting the conditions of the experiment in this way, one can easily determine the desired measurement of volume. 2. Write the balanced equation for the reaction that occurs between magnesium and hydrochloric acid. - Mg (s) + 2 HCl (aq) MgCl2 (aq) + H2 (g) 3. How is the volume of gas collected at room temperature adjusted to standard pressure? - In order to adjust the volume of collected gas to standard pressure, one must use the combined gas law P1V1/T1 = P2V2/T2. However, since the temperature is constant throughout the entire experiment one can simplify the equation to P1V1 = P2V2. P1 represents the atmospheric pressure at room temperature (mmHg), V1 represents the volume at the same pressure (L), P2 equals 760 mmHg and V2 is the value that must be determined. 4. What happens to the acid that is placed in the graduated cylinder at the start of the experiment? How might this pose a safety hazard? - At the start of the experiment, the acid is placed in the graduated cylinder before the water. This is done in the exact order mentioned because it prevents a reaction from occurring. Pouring the water in before the acid may trigger the reaction, posing a safety hazard. Additionally, the cylinder must be placed cautiously into the basin of ice water to prevent the acid from spilling onto the floor or onto someones body.
OBSERVATIONS
DATA TABLE Length of Mg strip (cm) Volume of hydrogen collected (mL) Temperature of water (C) TRIAL 1 1 cm 8.3 mL 1.2 C TRIAL 2 1 cm 8.2 mL 1.1 C
CALCULATIONS
Mass of Magnesium Strip 1.00 m (or 100 cm) has a mass of 0.91 g 1.00 cm has a mass of 0.0091 g Moles of Magnesium Calculate # moles Mg: Moles of Hydrogen Gas Moles H2 = Moles Mg 0.000374 mol H2 Volume of Hydrogen Gas Collected 8.2 mL H2 collected = 0.0082 L H2 collected Atmospheric Pressure
Patm = 30.34 inHg Patm in mmHg = Boyles Law (Boyles Law to account for atmospheric pressure not being 760.00 mmHg)
Joy 3
2. How would you explain the percent error for your calculation of molar volume? - A source of error that couldve possibly affected the percent error for this calculation included ignoring the temperature during the experiment. The experiment called for the water to be set at 0C, but it was actually set at 1.1C. Also, failing to measure the volume of hydrogen gas at the exact moment the magnesium strip completely finished dissolving could contribute to the percent error. Lastly, hydrogen gas may have either escaped through slight openings in the sides of the plastic wrap or surrounding air may have entered through the same way. 3. How would you redesign this experiment to reduce the percent error? - In order to reduce the percent error, one could set the temperature of water to a temperature at or extremely close to 0C. The closer the temperature is to the desired conditions, the more accurate the calculations will be. Also, parafilm may serve as an appropriate replacement for the plastic wrap used in the experiment. Using this will prevent surrounding air from entering or hydrogen gas from escaping. 4. Why do you think the graduated cylinder was inverted in the ice water bath rather than being held right side up? - Holding the graduated cylinder in this position allowed the hydrogen gas to rise and isolate itself from the reacting substances. Water has a heavier density than that of the gas, so holding the cylinder right side up would trap the gas rather than release it. By holding it upside down, the gas was released efficiently.
Joy 4 5. What type of chemical reaction- single replacement, double replacement, decomposition, or direct combination- occurred between the magnesium and the hydrochloric acid? - A single replacement reaction occurred between the magnesium strip and the hydrochloric acid. This is evident in the balanced equation, which shows the magnesium replacing the hydrogen and ultimately forming magnesium chloride and hydrogen gas.