Rodney Pujada

Chemistry 101/ Section 4075

Prof: H. Lee
Days of class: Tuesday and Thursday
Time of class: 6.00 9:10 pm
Date Due :
Dec 1st, 2010

Experiment No 12:
Grahams Law of Gaseous Diffusion
Name:
Lab Partner:
I.

Rodney Pujada
Armin Vossooghi

Introduction
In this experiment, the rates of diffusion of two gases, ammonia (NH3)
and hydrogen chloride (HCl), will be investigated.
These gases are
convenient to use for such an experiment because, when they meet and
react, they form a white smoke consisting of ammonium chloride (NH4Cl):
NH3(g) + HCl(g) NH4Cl(s)
However, since the ideal gas law indicates that the density of a gas and its
molecular weight are proportional, we can write: R 1
MW
If the rates of diffusion of two gases are compared, this yields the following
equations:

1
MW 2
MW1
R1
R1
=
or
=
1
R2
R2
MW1
MW2
The comparative rates of diffusion of two gases are inversely
proportional to the square root of their molecular weight.
II.

III.

Material
Long glass tube (116 cm), utility clamps, forceps, dropper, corks, cotton,
stopwatch, and Chemical substance: Ammonia 14.5 M and HCl 12M
(hydrochloric acid)
Procedure
I. Obtain clean and dry glass tubing. Clamp it on a
metal stand in a horizontal position.
2. Obtain two clean cottons that will fit the ends of
the glass tubing. Insert some of the cotton on each
end of the tube.
3. At one end of the tube, one student places several drops of the
concentrated HC1 on the cotton, and at the same time another student
places several drops of the concentrated NH3 on the cotton at the other end.

4. Simultaneously insert both cottons into the ends of the glass tube.
5. After 25 minutes, Measure where white smokes ring appears. Mark the
position of this ring, then measures its distance from both ends of the tube.
IV.

Data and Calculation

Run 1
cm

Run 2
cm

39.5

44

76.5

72

Time traveled (optional)

23.5 min

14.03
min

Ratio = distance NH3/distance HCl

1.9

1.6

Results
Distance of ring to the HCI end of
the tube
Distance of ring to the NH3 end of
the tube

Averag
e

1.6

IV.1 Calculate the experimental ratio of the diffusion rates of the

gases
Data:
Calculate the molar mas from Run 2:
Distance of ring to the HCI end of the tube = 39.5 cm
Distance of ring to the NH3 end of the tube =76.5 cm
Time traveled
= 23.5 min
Follow the Grahams Law the ratio is :

1
MW 2
MW1
R1
R1
=
or
=
1
R2
R2
MW1
MW2
Ratio = Distance NH3 / Distance HCl = ( M HCl ) / ( M NH3 )
Ratio = (76.5 cm) / (39.5 cm) = ( M HCl ) / ( M NH3 )
Ratio = 1.9
Ratio practical run 2
1.6

IV.2 Calculate the theoretical ratio of the diffusion rates by using

the Grahams Law
Ratio theoretical = ( 37.5) / ( 17 ) = 1.485

Ratio theoretical = = 1.485

Ratio theoretical
1.485

IV.3 Calculate the percent error %

Ratio (theoretical)
= 1.5
Ratio (average) = 1.9
Percent error = ( Vprac Vteoric) x 100 %
Vteoric
Percent error = (1.6 - 1.5) x 100 % = 6.666 %
1.6
Percent error =
7%
V.

VI.

SKETCH

Conclusions:
During the diffusion of two gasses, the evidence the HCL and Ammonia
gases meet is the white ring that is NH4Cl (salt)
It is demonstrate the relationship between the molar mass of a gas and the
speed with which it travels with a practical ratio of 1.6 and theoretical ratio
1.4.
The percent of error is 7 % because the glass tubing was enough clean and
not strong connections to avoid the gas escape.
This experiment will demonstrate rates of diffusion, a property of. The law of
diffusion states that the rate of diffusion of a gas is inversely proportional to
the square root of its density:

1
MW 2
MW1
R1
=
or
=
1
R2
R2
MW1
MW2
R1

Experiment 12:
Grahams Law of Gaseous Diffusion
According to the kinetics theory of gases, the gas molecules are in constant, rapid
motion. The average kinetic energy (Ek = /2 inv) is directly proportional to the
absolute temperature of the gas. For two gases at the same temperature and
pressure, the kinetic energies will be equal.
/2 mvj2 = /2 22 (1)
where in1 and v1 are the mass and speed of the first gas, and in2 and l are the
mass and speed of the second gas.
Grahams law of diffusion states that the rate of diffusion of a gaseous substance is
inversely proportional to the square root of the molar mass of the gaseous
substance. This law can be derived fiom Eq. (1) because the diffusion rate is directly
proportional to the speed of the gas.
= k1 v1 = k (2 Ek / in1) (2)
And the mass in is also directly proportional to the molar mass M.
iiiA11 (3)
Substituting Eq. (3) into Eq. (2), we have
R1 = k1 (2 Ek / nM)2 (4)
At a given temperature Ek is a constant, and k and ill are also constants; therefore,
the rate is inversely proportional to the square root of the gas.
For two gases at the same temperature and pressure, Grahams law can be written
as follows:
R1/R,=(M,/M1)2 (5)
In this experiment, you are going to demonstrate the Grahams law by putting two
gaseous substances on two ends of a long glass tube, then observe where in the
tube that the two substances meet. The distance traveled by the gas is directly
proportional to the diffusion rate.

EQUIPMENT
Long glass tube, utility clamps, forceps, droppers, corks, cotton, stopwatch
(optional), and beaker.

PROCEDURE

(Two or more students should work together)

I. Obtain a clean and dry glass tubing specially supplied for this experiment. Do not
wet it. Clamp it on a metal stand in a horizontal position.
2. Obtain some cotton and two clean corks that will fit the ends of the glass tubing.
Insert some of the cotton on each end of the tube.
3. At one end of the tube, one student places several drops of the concentrated HC1
on the cotton, and at the same time another student places several drops of the
concentrated NH3 on the cotton at the other end.
4. When ready, both students should simultaneously insert both corks into the ends
of the glass tube.
5. After a certain period of time (about 25 minutes, so BE PATIENT), a white smoke
ring will appear. Mark the position of this ring, then measures its distance from both
ends of the tube actually from the inner end of the cork.

RESULTS Run #1 Run 2

I. Distance of ring to the HCI end of the tube
2. Distance of ring to the NH3 end of the tube
3. Time traveled (optional)

CALCULATIONS
Because the time of travel for both gases is exactly the same at the position that
they meet; therefore, the distance traveled by each gas is directly proportional to
the diffusion rate of the gas.
4. Calculate the experimental ratio of the diffusion rates of the gases. Ratio =
(Distance for NH3) I (Distance for HCI)
5. Calculate the theoretical ratio of the diffusion rates by using the Grahams law.
Ratio = (MHCI I MNHS)2
6. Calculate the percent error

SKETCH
CONCLUSIONS