Zack Ploen Al/Zn Alloy Analysis Lab Purpose: The purpose of this experiment is to determine the composition of an alloy

containing aluminum and zinc. Procedure: Data: Mass of Alloy # 11 used Volume of Water obtained Pressure in lab Temperature in lab .1599 g 142 mL 30.23 inHg 23C Refer to handout from class.

Calculations: Volume of Water obtained = Volume of H produced = 142 mL =.142 L H Pressure in lab = 30.23 inHg = 30.23 inHg (25.4 mmHg / 1 inHg) = 767.842 mmHg Room temperature = 23C = 273 + 23 K = 296K P (H) = P (atm) P (vapor pressure HO @ 23C) = 767.842 21.1 mmHg = 746.742 mmHg = 746.742 (1 atm / 760 mmHg) = .98256 atm PV = nRT n = PV / RT = (.98256 atm)(.142 L) / (.0821 L atm K mol)(296 K) = .00574 mol H
If x = mol Al, and y = mol Zn, then

(26.98 g/mol) x + (65.39 g/mol) y = .1599 g (3 mol H / 2 mol Al) x + (1 mol H / 1 mol Zn) y = .00574 mol H

x = .00303 mol Al

y = .001195 mol Zn

mass Al = moles * molar mass = .00303 mol * 26.98 g/mol = .08175 g Al mass Zn = moles * molar mass = .001195 mol * 65.39 g/mol = .07814 g Zn % Al = mass Al / mass total * 100% = .08175 g / .1599 g * 100% = 51.13% Al % Zn = mass Zn / mass total * 100% = .07814 g / .1599 g * 100% = 48.87% Zn

Analysis:

The purpose of this lab was to determine the composition of an alloy containing aluminum and zinc. The specific alloy used was alloy #11, and I determined that alloy #11 was 51.13% Al and 48.87% Zn. This was done by reacting the alloy with hydrochloric acid and measuring the volume of hydrogen gas produced using the assembly given in the handout. .1599 g of alloy was massed and placed inside a gelatin capsule. It was then placed in an excess of hydrochloric acid, where the following two reactions occur: 2Al + 6HCl 2AlCl + 3H , Zn + 2HCl ZnCl + H . With the entire apparatus prepared, the alloy and acid produced hydrogen gas, which displaced 142 mL of water in the system. Therefore, 142 mL of hydrogen gas was produced. According to the ideal gas law, the moles of hydrogen gas is equal to PV / RT. The pressure of the hydrogen gas in the system is equal to the pressure outside of the system minus the vapor pressure of the water at 23C (21.1 mmHg). Therefore, the pressure of the hydrogen

gas was 746.742 mmHg, or .98256 atm. The volume of hydrogen was previously determined as .142 L. The temperature of the hydrogen (equal to the temperature of the room) was 23C. Therefore, the amount of hydrogen produced was .00574 moles. Using the system of equations in my calculations, I was able to determine that the alloy consisted of .00303 moles Al and .001195 moles Zn. Using the molar masses of both elements, I determined that alloy #11 was 51.13% Al and 48.87% Zn. This connects to class in that we are currently studying gas laws. It connects to real life in that chemical analysis allows for quality assurance in the production of alloys. Since the actual composition of the alloy is unknown, no % error could be calculated. A possible source of error in this lab could be the impurities in the glassware. No matter how many times one cleans a piece of glassware there is always a potential for impurities to still exist. Because these impurities are unknown, they would have a completely random effect on my measurements. Measurements could read larger or smaller than what they actually are. This would then skew the calculated composition of the alloy.