Unit 3 Chemistry

Title: Molar Volume of a Gas Name:

Partner: Date:

BACKGROUND
The purpose of this lab is to determine the molar volume of a sample of Hydrogen gas that is created through
the reaction of Magnesium and Hydrochloric Acid. Ensure you have completed Chapter 3 – Stoichiometry and the
combustion of fuels, sections 3.1 and 3.2, including all related Key and Review Questions.

INTRODUCTION
The molar volume of a gas is the volume occupied by 1 mole of the
gas at a given temperature and pressure. At Standard Laboratory
Conditions (SLC), 100 kPa and 25°C (298 K), the Vm of any gas is
24.8 L mol-1. Unfortunately the conditions of the lab are not at SLC.
You will have to use gas law formulas to calculate the volume that
one mole of this gas would occupy at SLC.

In addition, since this practical is being done over water, and water
will evaporate at any temperature, the vapor pressure of water
must be determined. In order to obtain the pressure of the ‘dry’
gas, you will have to use Dalton’s Law of Partial pressures.

Because the hydrogen gas is collected above water (the acid solution), and water will evaporate at any
temperature and thus add a significant vapor pressure. To get the pressure of pure hydrogen (dry hydrogen) the
vapor pressure of water must be subtracted. The vapour pressure of water is not a calculated value but is looked
up on the following chart (the full chart for all temperature values can be found on the Science Web Site>Unit 3
Chemistry):

Temperature Pressure Pressure (kPa) Temperature Pressure Pressure (kPa)

(degrees C) (mmHg) (degrees C) (mmHg)

16 13.6 1.81 22 19.8 2.64

17 14.5 1.93 23 21.1 2.81
18 15.5 2.07 24 22.4 2.99
19 16.5 2.12 25 23.8 3.17
20 17.5 2.34 26 25.2 3.36
21 18.7 2.49 27 26.7 3.56

The pressure of the dry hydrogen gas (PH2) is calculated from Dalton's Law of Partial Pressures:

Ptotal = PH2 + PH2O Where:

Ptotal (the pressure in the test tube) is atmospheric pressure
So…
PH2O (the water vapor pressure) is the pressure exerted by water vapor that has
PH2 = Ptotal - PH2O evaporated

Use the following formula to convert your results to SLC:

P1 V1 P2 V2
=
T1 T2

AIM
To measure the molar volume of hydrogen at standard laboratory conditions (SLC).

Equipment
 20 mL 2 M HCl
 4.5 cm length of cleaned magnesium
ribbon with mass no more than 0.08 g
 100 mL gas syringe
 retort stand, boss head and clamp
 18 mm test tube
 one-holed stopper to fit test tube
 4 cm length of glass tubing to fit one-
holed stopper
 approx. 50 cm length of rubber tubing
 25 mL measuring cylinder
 emery paper or steel wool
 electronic balance

Safety
 Wear safety glasses and a laboratory coat for this experiment
 Wear disposable gloves
 HCl is an acid and is corrosive
METHOD
1. Into the results, record the room temperature and atmospheric pressure.

2. Clamp the stoppered test tube and gas syringe to their respective retort stands and connect the test
tube and syringe using the rubber tubing. Check that the equipment is safe and secure.

3. Remove the stopper from the test tube. Carefully pour 15 mL 2 M hydrochloric acid into the test tube
down one side, keeping the other side dry.

4. Accurately weigh the magnesium ribbon, to 2 decimal places, making sure that it weighs no more than
0.080 g.

5. Tilt the test tube and carefully place the magnesium ribbon on the dry side of the test tube, making
sure that it does not contact the acid. Replace the stopper tightly.

6. Tilt or shake the test tube so the magnesium contacts the acid. As gas fills the syringe, the plunger will
slowly move. If it sticks, gently rotate the plunger to prevent it from sticking.

7. Once the magnesium has been used up, allow the test tube to cool for 3-5 mins. This is important for
an accurate volume reading.

8. Record the final volume of gas in the syringe when the plunger has completely stopped moving.
Calculate and record the volume of gas produced by the reaction.

RESULTS
Ensure all readings are as accurate as possible (to at least 2 decimal places if possible)
Mass of Magnesium used (g):
Initial volume reading on syringe (mL):
Final volume reading on syringe (mL):
Volume of gas produced by reaction (mL):
Laboratory temperature (deg C):
Barometric pressure in Laboratory (kPa):
Partial pressure of H2O from data chart (kPa):
Pressure of H2 gas produced (Barometric – H2O pressure) (kPa):
DISCUSSION
1. Write a balanced chemical equation (with states) for the reaction between magnesium and hydrochloric
acid.

2. Calculate the amount, in mol, of magnesium reacted.

3. Calculate the amount, in mol, of hydrogen gas produced.

4. State the volume of gas that was produced during the experiment in both mL and L. Which two gases
make up the majority of this volume?

5. State the pressure of dry H2 gas produced. Describe how was this figure was calculated and explain why
the partial pressure of water vapour needs to be removed from the total pressure of the gas produced.

6. Complete the table below to sum up the information gathered during the experiment and to state SLC
conditions:

Experimental Results: Standard Lab Conditions

Readings for:
(condition 1) (condition 2):
Pressure of dry H2 gas produced (kPa) P1 = P2 =
Temperature (K) T1 = T2 =
Volume of H2 (L) V1 = V2 = Vol of H2 at SLC
7. To find the experimental volume that H2 would occupy at SLC, substitute the information from the table
into the equation below. Solve for V2 which is the experimentally determined volume of H 2 at SLC.
Provide your answer in L and mL

P1 V1 P2 V2
=
T1 T2

8. Calculate the molar volume of hydrogen gas at SLC based on your experimental results. To do this, use
the amount, in mol, of hydrogen produced, and the volume it occupied at SLC (V 2 from the question
above) to calculate your experimental value for the molar volume of hydrogen gas at SLC.

9. How close is your result to the stated molar volume at SLC? Suggest three reasons for this difference.

10. Write a definition of the term ‘molar volume’.

11. Would you expect the molar volume of different gases to be the same or different to that measured for
hydrogen at the same temperature and pressure? Explain your answer.