Chemistry: An Examination of Boiling Point Elevation

Name__________________________________________________________
Date___________________

Recent reading reveals that colligative properties of solutions are
properties or behaviors that are driven by the concentration of the
solute in the solution. One of a number of colligative properties is
Boiling Point Elevation. Boiling point elevation describes the tendency
for the boiling point of a liquid to increase in response to the type and
amount of solute added to the liquid. In this experiment we will attempt
to measure the boiling point elevation of water when various solutes are
added to the water.

Procedure:
1. To calibrate your thermometer, measure the temperature at which pure
water boils. Record this number in the BP H
2
O column of the data
table.
2. One at a time, create and measure the boiling points of the
following solutions. Mix each of your solutions in 1/10 kg of
distilled water. Use hot water to hasten the boiling process. Read
the thermometer when the solution reaches a full, rolling boil.
Record your results in the data table.
2 m C
6
H
12
O
6
(sucrose) solution
4 m C
6
H
12
O
6
(sucrose) solution
2 m NaCl (salt) solution
4 m NaCl (salt) solution
2 m Ca(NO
3
)
2
(Calcium carbonate) solution
4 m Ca(NO
3
)
2
(Calcium carbonate) solution

Solution
(m)
BP H
2
O BP
Solution
BP Sol.
Molality
BP/m
2 m C
6
H
12
O
6


4 m C
6
H
12
O
6


2 m NaCl

4 m NaCl

2 m Ca(NO
3
)
2


4 m Ca(NO
3
)
2



3. Identify and describe any patterns you see in the BP/m values from
this experiment. Develop a rough ratio between the BP/m values for
the three different solutes.

4. Sucrose is a molecular compound, while salt and calcium chloride are
ionic compounds. What does this mean in terms of the behavior of
each of these compounds when they are dissolved in water?

5. How many moles of sugar did you place in the water to make each of
your sucrose solutions? When the sugar dissolved in the water, how
many moles of particles (not counting water molecules) were present
in the solution. Explain.

6. How many moles of salt did you place in the water to make each of
your salt solutions? When the salt dissolved in the water, how many
moles of particles (not counting water molecules) were present in
the solution? Explain.

7. How many moles of calcium nitrate did you place in the water to make
each of your calcium nitrate solutions? When the calcium nitrate
dissolved in the water, how many moles of particles (not counting
water molecules) were present in the solution? Explain.

8. Relate your answers to questions 5-7 to the ratio you developed in
question 3. What relationship can you identify?