ADAMSON UNIVERSITY

College of Engineering
Chemical Engineering Department
Manila

Experiment No. 2
MOLECULAR WEIGHT DETERMINATION
BY VAPOR DENSITY METHOD

Group Number: 3

Physical Chemistry 1 Lab / 51034

7:00-10:00 Monday / OZ 401

Name Student Number Signature

1. Custodio, JV L 201510352
2. Decatoria, Terry SJ 201510304
3. Legaspi, Lhaila T. 201510085

Engr. Anabella C. Vilando

Instructor

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 Physical Chemistry Lab Report-Experiment 2- Molecular Weight
Determination by Vapor Density Method

Abstract

The experiment aims to determine the molecular weight of gas by vapor density
method. Experimental procedures sought to answer the objectives.

Six Erlenmeyer flasks were initially weighed. After covering the flasks with an aluminum
foil associated with a tiny hole, the masses were again recorded. Five milliliters of ethyl acetate
and ethyl alcohol was poured in the two sets of three flasks. The flasks were immediately
covered. A temperature of 75 degrees Celsius was maintained as the flasks were individually
immersed in water bath.

As the liquid inside the flasks evaporated, the flasks were removed in the water bath
and cooled at a room temperature. The masses of the flasks were recorded. The volumes of the
flasks were measured by the filling of the distilled water up to the brim of the flasks.
Calculations were based from the data collected after the three trials for each reagent.

The experimentation led to a mean molecular weight of 32. 86 g/mole for Ethyl Alcohol
and 90.79 g/mole for Ethyl Acetate.

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 Physical Chemistry Lab Report-Experiment 2- Molecular Weight
Determination by Vapor Density Method

Introduction

The discovery of Avogadro’s Law led to the first measurements of molecular weights,

since if we know the mass of a sample of gas and the number of moles it contains, molecular

weight can simply be calculated.

A method of determining the molecular weight of substances that turned into vapor

was devised by Jean-Baptiste Dumas. In the Dumas method a volatile liquid is heated to a

known temperature, above its boiling point, and allowed to escape from a container through a

tiny hole. Once the liquid has vaporized, the container is cooled to room temperature.

Gradually the vapor which remained in the container at the higher temperature condenses to a

liquid and is then weighed.

Volatile substances are usually composed of nonpolar molecules. As a result, the

molecules have primarily London dispersion forces and very little thermal energy is required to

overcome these attractive forces since the molecules are relatively small. Therefore, the liquid

vaporizes easily and quickly at temperatures less than 100°C.

The determination of molar mass in the Dumas method experiment uses the ideal gas

law: knowing the pressure, volume, and temperature of a gas sample allows one to know the

number of moles of the gas.

PV = nRT = mRT/M

M = mRT/(pV)

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 Physical Chemistry Lab Report-Experiment 2- Molecular Weight
Determination by Vapor Density Method

The molecular weight of the compound is represented by M. Another way to calculate

the molecular weight of the sample is to determine the moles of the gas produced.

Theoretical Background
The experiment is based from various scientific laws. The concepts to be used are as

follows:

Jean-Baptiste Dumas devised a method of determining the molar mass of substances that can

conveniently be turned into vapor. The Dumas method is still the subject of laboratory exercises in

chemistry courses. It involves finding the mass, volume, temperature, and pressure of a substance in the

vapor phase. The determination of molar mass in a modern Dumas method experiment uses the ideal

gas law: knowing the pressure, volume, and temperature of a gas sample allows one to know the

number of moles; knowing the mass that corresponds to that number of moles allows computation of

the molar mass. Alternatively,

pV = nRT = mRT/M

So,

M = mRT/(pV) .

The procedure entailed placing a small quantity of the unknown substance into a tared vessel of

known volume. The vessel is then heated in a boiling water bath; all the air within the flask would be

expelled, replaced by the vapor of the unknown substance. When no remaining liquid can be observed,

the vessel may be sealed (e.g. with a flame), dried, and weighed.
 Physical Chemistry Lab Report-Experiment 2- Molecular Weight
Determination by Vapor Density Method

By subtracting the tare of the vessel, the actual mass of the unknown vapor within the vessel

can be calculated. Assuming the unknown compound obeyed the ideal gas equation, the number of

moles of the unknown compound, n, can be determined by

pV = nRT

where the pressure, p, is the atmospheric pressure, V is the measured volume of the vessel, T is

the absolute temperature of the boiling water bath, and R is the ideal gas constant.

By dividing the mass in grams of the vapor within the vessel by the calculated number of moles,

the molecular weight may be obtained.

Meanwhile, the following formulas are expected to be used to carry out the

calculations;

Mass of condensed liquid= Mass of flask and condensed liquid-Mass of empty flask and cover

Mass of distilled water= Mass of flask with Distilled Water-Mass of empty flask

Mass of Distilled Water

Density of distilled water=
Volume of water

(mass of condensed liquid)x R x (Temperature of distilled water +273)K

MW=
1 atm 1L
(Barometric Pressure x ) x (Volume of Water x )
760 mmHg 1000 mL

Molecular Weight (Trial 1) + Molecular Weight (Trial 2) + Molecular Weight (Trial 3)

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 Physical Chemistry Lab Report-Experiment 2- Molecular Weight
Determination by Vapor Density Method

Materials

The materials and apparatuses used in the experiment are as follows:

 6 Erlenmeyer Flasks  15 mL Ethyl Alcohol

 Water Bath  15 mL Ethyl Acetate

 Analytical Balance  Water Bath

 Aluminum Foil  Rubber bands

Experimental Procedures

The experiment started as six Erlenmeyer flask were barely weighed. After covering the

mouth of the flask with the aluminum foil and pinching a hole using a small pin, the flasks were

weighed again. The holes were ensured to be small enough and nearly visible to the naked eye

for better experimental results.

Five milliliters of ethyl alcohol was poured in the first three flasks. The flasks were

immediately covered. A temperature of 75 degrees Celsius was maintained as the flasks were

individually immersed in water bath. As the liquid inside the flasks evaporated, the flasks were

removed in the water bath and cooled at a room temperature. The masses of the flasks were

recorded. The volumes of the flasks were measured by the filling of the distilled water up to the

brim of the flasks. Same procedures were made for Ethyl Acetate. Three trials for each reagent

were successful made.

 Physical Chemistry Lab Report-Experiment 2- Molecular Weight
Determination by Vapor Density Method

Figure 1.3
Figure 1.1

Figure 1.2

The masses of bare flasks Reagents were measured Three trials for the Ethyl
and the covered flasks were and poured into the flasks Alcohol were performed
measured.
Figure 1.4

Figure 1.5

Three trials for Ethyl After cooling the flasks, the

Acetrate masses were again recorded

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 Physical Chemistry Lab Report-Experiment 2- Molecular Weight
Determination by Vapor Density Method

Data Presentation and Interpretation

120

100

80
Ethyl Alcohol
60
Ethyl Acetate
40

20

0
AVERAGE 2 3

Figure 2. Mass of empty flask (g)

120

100

80
Ethyl Alcohol
60
Ethyl Acetate
40

20

0
AVERAGE 2 3

Figure 3. Mass of empty flask and cover (g)

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 Physical Chemistry Lab Report-Experiment 2- Molecular Weight
Determination by Vapor Density Method

120

100

80
Ethyl Alcohol
60
Ethyl Acetate
40

20

0
AVERAGE 2 3

Figure 4. Mass of flask and condensed liquid (g)

120

100

80
Ethyl Alcohol
60
Ethyl Acetate
40

20

0
AVERAGE 2 3

Figure 5. Mass of condensed liquid (g)

 Physical Chemistry Lab Report-Experiment 2- Molecular Weight
Determination by Vapor Density Method

120

100

80
Ethyl Alcohol
60
Ethyl Acetate
40

20

0
AVERAGE 2 3

Figure 6. Molecular weight of gas

AVERAGE

100

80

60
AVERAGE
40

20

0
Ethyl Alcohol Ethyl Acetate

Figure 7. Average

Based on the graphical presentations above, ethyl acetate exhibit higher values

compared to ethyl alcohol. Despite of the large difference between the two samples, each

sample showed precise data on the three trials. These values can be reflected on the time it

took the ethyl acetate to evaporate completely during the experiment which is longer than

ethyl alcohol.
 Physical Chemistry Lab Report-Experiment 2- Molecular Weight
Determination by Vapor Density Method

Results and Discussions

The experimental procedures led to the following results:

ETHY ALCOHOL

Trial 1

Trial 2

Trial 3
The liquid evaporated The liquid evaporated for The liquid evaporated
about
ETHYLL ACETATE

Trial 1

Trial 2

Trial 3

The evaporation lasted for The evaporation lasted for The evaporation lasted for
about 55 minutes about 57 minutes about 50 minutes
 Physical Chemistry Lab Report-Experiment 2- Molecular Weight
Determination by Vapor Density Method

DATA TRIAL

1 2 3 1 2 3

Compound Ethyl Alcohol Ethyl Acetate

Mass of empty flask(g) 131.97 129.72 109.64 107.80 121.67 122.14

Mass of empty flask and 132.85 130.55 110.49 108.69 122.54 123.99
cover (g)

Mass of flask and 133.30 130.89 110.99 109.59 123.7 124.82

condensed liquid(g)

Mass of condensed 0.45 0.34 0.50 0.90 1.16 0.83

liquid(g)

Temperature of liquid(˚C) 29 29 29 29 29 29

Mass of flask with 404.88 404.88 404.88 404.88 404.88 404.88

distilled water (g)

Mass of distilled water(g) 272.91 275.16 295.24 297.08 283.21 282.74

Temperature of distilled 29 29 29 29 29 29
water (˚C)

Density of distilled water 0.97 0.98 1.05 1.06 1.01 1.01

Volume of water=Volume 280 280 280 280 280 280

of flask(mL)

Barometric 713.74 713.74 713.74 713.74 713.74 713.74

pressure(mmHg)

Molecular weight of gas 42.66 34.51 47.12 84.82 109.32 78.22

average 32.86 90.79

 Physical Chemistry Lab Report-Experiment 2- Molecular Weight
Determination by Vapor Density Method

Conclusion
Based on our conducted experiment using vapor density method the following

conclusions such as (1) the desired mass of the condensed liquid of a particular compound were

determined (2) the relationship of pressure, volume and temperature were proved, (3) sources

of errors were analyzed.

By observing the data collected, the researchers have concluded that the ideal amount

of mass for the condensed liquid of ethyl alcohol is around 0.5 while ethyl acetate should be

around 0.8 to get accurate molecular weight of a certain compound. Furthermore, the direct

relationship of volume and temperature and the inversely proportional relationship of volume

and pressure were proved. On a different note, instrumental errors like the improper apparatus

to properly measure vapor density method; and the impurities of the compound could explain

the reason why the individual trials were somewhat imprecise.

Reccomendation

The experiment results may be improved if the following conditions were followed and

applied:

1. A stable mass can be weighed when it is done under room temperature.

2. Be sure to consider factors such as intermolecular forces and consequent deviations from ideality

to support your results.

3. Pay particular attention to the contribution that stray water dropsmight have on your results
 Physical Chemistry Lab Report-Experiment 2- Molecular Weight
Determination by Vapor Density Method

References
Websites

 https://web.lemoyne.edu/giunta/classicalcs/dumas.html

 http://dl.clackamas.edu/ch105/lesson1MW_and_mixtures.html

 http://www.lahc.edu/classes/chemistry/arias/Exp%209%20-%20Vapor%20Density.pdf

 http://www.asfa.k12.al.us/ourpages/auto/2016/9/9/51957417/03%20Determination%

20of%20Molar%20Mass%20by%20Vapor%20Density.pdf

 https://www.scribd.com/doc/35250197/Molecular-Weight-Determination-by-Vapor-

Density-Method

Nomenclature
M = molecular weight (g/mol)

m = mass (g)

n = number of moles (mol)

P = Pressure (mmHg or atm)

R = gas constant, equal to 0.08206 atm-L/(mol-K)

T = Temperature (˚C or K)

V = Volume (cm3, L, or mL)

 Physical Chemistry Lab Report-Experiment 2- Molecular Weight
Determination by Vapor Density Method

APPENDICES

A. Raw Data

DATA TRIAL
1 2 3 1 2 3
Compound Ethyl Alcohol Ethyl Acetate
Mass of empty flask(g) 131.97 129.72 109.64 107.80 121.67 122.14
Mass of empty flask and 132.85 130.55 110.49 108.69 122.54 123.99
cover (g)
Mass of flask and 133.30 130.89 110.99 109.59 123.7 124.82
condensed liquid(g)
Mass of condensed 0.45 0.34 0.50 0.90 1.16 0.83
liquid(g)
Mass of flask with 404.88 404.88 404.88 404.88 404.88 404.88
distilled water (g)
Temperature of distilled 29 29 29 29 29 29
water (˚C)
Volume of 280 280 280 280 280 280
water=Volume of
flask(mL)
Barometric 713.74 713.74 713.74 713.74 713.74 713.74
pressure(mmHg)

B. Sample Calculations

a.) For Mass of Condensed Liquid:

𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑓𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑘 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑙𝑖𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑑 − 𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑡𝑦 𝑓𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑘 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟

 Ethyl Alcohol

Trial 1

133.30𝑔 − 132.85𝑔 = 0.45𝑔

Trial 2

130.89𝑔 − 130.55𝑔 = 0.34𝑔

 Physical Chemistry Lab Report-Experiment 2- Molecular Weight
Determination by Vapor Density Method

Trial 3

110.99𝑔 − 110.49𝑔 = 0.50𝑔

 Ethyl Acetate

Trial 1

109.59𝑔 − 108.69𝑔 = 0.90𝑔

Trial 2

123.7𝑔 − 122.54𝑔 = 1.16𝑔

Trial 3

124.82𝑔 − 123.99𝑔 = 0.83𝑔

b.) Mass of Distilled Water:

𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑓𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑘 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑑 𝑊𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 − 𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑡𝑦 𝑓𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑘

 Ethyl Alcohol

Trial 1

404.88𝑔 − 131.97𝑔 = 272.91𝑔

Trial 2

404.88𝑔 − 129.72𝑔 = 275.16𝑔

Trial 3

404.88𝑔 − 109.64 = 295.24

 Ethyl Acetate

Trial 1

404.88𝑔 − 107.80𝑔 = 297.08𝑔

 Physical Chemistry Lab Report-Experiment 2- Molecular Weight
Determination by Vapor Density Method

Trial 2

404.88𝑔 − 121.67𝑔 = 283.21𝑔

Trial 3

404.88𝑔 − 122.14𝑔 = 282.74𝑔

c.) Density of Distilled Water

𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑑 𝑊𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟

𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟

 Ethyl Alcohol

Trial 1

272.91𝑔 𝑔
= 0.97
280 𝑚𝐿 𝑚𝑙

Trial 2

275.16 𝑔 𝑔
= 0.98
280 𝑚𝐿 𝑚𝐿

Trial 3

295.24𝑔 𝑔
= 1.05
280𝑚𝐿 𝑚𝐿

 Ethyl Acetate

Trial 1

297.08𝑔 𝑔
= 1.06
280𝑚𝐿 𝑚𝐿

Trial 2

283.21𝑔 𝑔
= 1.01
280𝑚𝐿 𝑚𝐿
 Physical Chemistry Lab Report-Experiment 2- Molecular Weight
Determination by Vapor Density Method

Trial 3

282.74𝑔 𝑔
= 1.01
280𝑚𝐿 𝑚𝐿

d.) Molecular Weight of Gas

(𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑙𝑖𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑑)𝑥 𝑅 𝑥 (𝑇𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑑 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 + 273)𝐾

𝑀𝑊 =
1 𝑎𝑡𝑚 1𝐿
(𝐵𝑎𝑟𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑥 ) 𝑥 (𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑊𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑥 )
760 𝑚𝑚𝐻𝑔 1000 𝑚𝐿

 Ethyl Alcohol

Trial 1

𝐿 𝑥 𝑎𝑡𝑚
(0.45𝑔) 𝑥 ( 0.08206𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑥 𝐾) 𝑥 (29 +273)𝐾 𝑔
1 𝑎𝑡𝑚 1𝐿 = 42.66
(713.74𝑚𝑚𝐻𝑔 𝑥 760 𝑚𝑚𝐻𝑔)𝑥 (280𝑚𝐿 𝑥 1000 𝑚𝐿) 𝑚𝑜𝑙

Trial 2

𝐿 𝑥 𝑎𝑡𝑚
(0.34𝑔) 𝑥 (0.08206𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑥 𝐾 )𝑥 (29 +273)𝐾 𝑔
1 𝑎𝑡𝑚 1𝐿 = 34.51
(713.74𝑚𝑚𝐻𝑔 𝑥 760 𝑚𝑚𝐻𝑔)𝑥 (280𝑚𝐿 𝑥 1000 𝑚𝐿) 𝑚𝑜𝑙

Trial 3

𝐿 𝑥 𝑎𝑡𝑚
(0.50𝑔) 𝑥 (0.08206 ) 𝑥 (29 +273)𝐾 𝑔
𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑥 𝐾
1 𝑎𝑡𝑚 1𝐿 = 47.12
(713.74𝑚𝑚𝐻𝑔 𝑥 760 𝑚𝑚𝐻𝑔) 𝑥 (280𝑚𝐿 𝑥 1000 𝑚𝐿) 𝑚𝑜𝑙
 Physical Chemistry Lab Report-Experiment 2- Molecular Weight
Determination by Vapor Density Method

 Ethyl Acetate

Trial 1

𝐿 𝑥 𝑎𝑡𝑚
(0.90𝑔) 𝑥 (0.08206 ) 𝑥 (29 +273)𝐾 𝑔
𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑥 𝐾
1 𝑎𝑡𝑚 1𝐿 = 84.82
(713.74𝑚𝑚𝐻𝑔 𝑥 760 𝑚𝑚𝐻𝑔)𝑥 (280𝑚𝐿 𝑥 1000 𝑚𝐿) 𝑚𝑜𝑙

Trial 2

𝐿 𝑥 𝑎𝑡𝑚
(1.16𝑔) 𝑥 (0.08206 ) 𝑥 (29 +273)𝐾 𝑔
𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑥 𝐾
1 𝑎𝑡𝑚 1𝐿 = 109.32
(713.74𝑚𝑚𝐻𝑔 𝑥 760 𝑚𝑚𝐻𝑔) 𝑥 (280𝑚𝐿 𝑥 1000 𝑚𝐿) 𝑚𝑜𝑙

Trial 3

𝐿 𝑥 𝑎𝑡𝑚
(0.83𝑔) 𝑥 (0.08206 )𝑥 (29 +273)𝐾 𝑔
𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑥 𝐾
1 𝑎𝑡𝑚 1𝐿 = 78.22
(713.74𝑚𝑚𝐻𝑔 𝑥 760 𝑚𝑚𝐻𝑔)𝑥 (280𝑚𝐿 𝑥 1000 𝑚𝐿) 𝑚𝑜𝑙

e.) Average of Molecular Weight

𝑀𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡(𝑇𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑙 1) + 𝑀𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡(𝑇𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑙 2) + 𝑀𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡(𝑇𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑙 3)

3

 Ethyl Alcohol

𝑔 𝑔 𝑔
42.66𝑚𝑜𝑙+34.51 𝑚𝑜𝑙+47.12 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑔
= 41.43
3 𝑚𝑜𝑙

 Ethyl Acetate

𝑔 𝑔 𝑔
84.82𝑚𝑜𝑙+109.32𝑚𝑜𝑙+78.22𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑔
= 90.79
3 𝑚𝑜𝑙