Chemistry 121

Gas Law

M. Dunn

GAS LAW
PURPOSE: To experimentally determine the MOLAR volume of H2 gas generated through a chemical reaction, were it run under conditions of standard temperature and pressure (STP). INTRODUCTION: Chemical reactions can be divided into several categories. Some chemical reactions may fall into more than one category. For example, let's take a look at the chemical reaction we will be investigating in this experiment: Mg(s) + 2HCl(aq) -> MgCl2(aq) + H2(g) (Equation 1) This reaction is an example of a SINGLE REPLACEMENT reaction, in which a lone element (solid magnesium in this case) will "replace" an element in a compound (hydrochloric acid*1 in this case) to produce a different lone element and a different compound. This reaction also is an example of a REDOX reaction (short for "reduction~oxidation"). In a redox reaction, one of the elements on the reactant side will LOSE at least one electron to produce the products, While another element on the reactant side will GAIN at least one electron to produce the products. The reactant element that has LOST electrons has been OXIDIZED, while the reactant element that has GAINED electrons has been REDUCED. The above balanced chemical equation declares that every TWO moles of aqueous hydrochloric acid must react with ONE mole of solid magnesium metal in order to produce one mole of aqueous magnesium chloride and one mole of hydrogen gas. For many compounds, the number of moles can be determined by using molar mass as a conversion factor. However, for a gas (such as hydrogen in this case), the number of moles also can be determined from the ideal gas2 equation; PV = nRT (equation 2)

where n equals the number of moles of gas. Thus the number of moles of H2 gas produced in the above reaction can be determined if the pressure of the gas produced (P, in mm Hg), volume of the gas produced (V, in liters), and temperature of gas (T, in Kelvin) are known. R is called the gas constant and its value NEVER changes for ideal gases.

Hydrochloric acid = HCl(aq) Ideal gases are defined as gases that obey the ideal gas law equation (2). We will assume that water vapor and hydrogen will behave as ideal gases.
1 2

Page 1

Chemistry 121

Gas Law

M. Dunn

The molar volume is defined as the volume occupied by one mole of ideal gas, and is determined by dividing the volume of a gas by the number of moles of a gas: Molar volume = (Equation 3)

Under conditions of standard temperature and pressure (or STP, which is a temperature, TSTP= 273.15K, and a pressure, PSTP, of 760.0 mm Hg), the molar volume of any ideal gas is (to 3 significant figures) 22.4 liters per mole. This value is the theoretical value for the molar volume. How close will your calculated experimental value for the molar volume of H2(g) come to this theoretical value of 22.4 L/mol, if you were able to perform this experiment under STP condition? Granted, we CANNOT adjust the laboratory to STP conditions! However, we CAN determine the volume of H2(g) generated by this reactions under normal aboratory conditions, then convert this value to STP conditions by using the combined gas law: PSTP VSTP Plab Vlab (Equation 4) TSTP Tlab Values for Vlab, and Tlab will be data that you will collect during this experiment. Because the hydrogen is collected over water, the value of Plab must be calculated using Daltons Law of Partial Pressures. The gas collected in the graduated cylinder is a mixture of hydrogen gas and water vapor. We will assume that the total pressure of the gases inside the graduated cylinder is equal to the barometric pressure. Pinside cylinder = PH2 + Pwater vapor (Equation 5) Pinside cylinder = Pbarometric (Equation 6)

By substituting equation 6 into equation 5, and solving for PH2 we can find the pressure of the dry hydrogen gas under laboratory conditions. Plab= PH2 = Pbarometric-Pwater vapor (Equation 7)

Values of Pwater vapor can be found from the following table:

Temperature (C) 17.0 17.5 18.0 18.5 19.0 19.5 20.0 20.5 21.0 21.5 Vapor Pressure of Water Pressure (mmHg) 14.5 15.0 15.5 16.0 16.5 17.0 17.5 18.1 18.6 19.2 Temperature (C) 22.0 22.5 23.0 23.5 24.0 24.5 25.0 Pressure (mmHg) 19.8 20.4 21.1 21.7 22.4 23.1 23.8

Page 2

Chemistry 121

Gas Law

M. Dunn

This data will allow you to use the above equation to find the value of VSTP from equation 4. Once you obtain VSTP, use divide VSTP by n (equation 2) to determine your calculated molar volume of H2(g) at STP. Pre-lab Questions: 1. What is the meaning of STP? 2. 24.8 mL of an ideal gas are collected at a temperature of 21.3 C and 749.0 mm Hg. Calculate the volume this gas would occupy at STP (VSTP)for this gas sample. 3. A sample of hydrogen gas was collected over water that was measured to be 21.0 C on a day when then barometric pressure was 753.2 mm Hg. What would be the pressure of the dry hydrogen gas under laboratory conditions? (PH2 = Plab) 4. If 1.5503 grams of magnesium react with hydrochloric acid according to Mg(s) + 2HCl(aq) -> MgCl2(aq) + H2(g) How many moles of hydrogen gas should be produced? (Equation 1)

Page 3

Chemistry 121

Gas Law

M. Dunn

Safety Precautions: See MSDS sheet for 6M hydrochloric acid. Materials: Plastic trough Large funnel 100-mL graduated cylinder 100-mL beaker Parafilm Square of cheesecloth Copper Wire Magnesium metal strip 6M HCl PROCEDURE: Getting Ready: 1. Obtain a strip of magnesium metal. Weigh the magnesium strip on an analytical balance, and record all digits in your data table 2. Fold the magnesium into a jellybean-sized packet. Wrap it in the cheesecloth and tie it closed with the copper wire. The cheesecloth and wire will NOT react with the HCl that you will be adding. Make sure your Magnesium doesnt fall out of the cheesecloth! 3. Prepare your trough by making sure that any holes in the trough are completely blocked off with Parafim. Fill the trough about 2/3 full of water. 4. Obtain about 50 mL of 6M HCl(aq) in a 100-mL beaker. Starting the Reaction: 5. Immerse the graduated cylinder sideways in the water, and allow it to fill completely with water. Invert the graduated cylinder, standing it upside-down in the trough. DO NOT let go of the cylinder. Make sure the cylinder is COMPLETELY FILLED with water. 6. Place he wrapped magnesium packet in the small indentation at the bottom of the trough. 7. Position the cylinder to cover the magnesium packet (as long as the lip of the cylinder s underwater, you can move the cylinder without losing any of the water). Make sure that the edge of the cylinder catches a corner of the cheesecloth. One partner will position the end of the funnel under the spout of the cylinder. The hydrochloric acid (HCl(aq)) will be delivered to the magnesium through the funnel 8. Begin by adding about 25 mL of your HCl(aq) to the funnel. You should see bubbles forming right away. ALL of these bubbles should rise to the top of your inverted cylinder. 9. When the bubbling subsides, add the remaining HCl(aq). The reaction is complete when the magnesium has disappeared completely and the bubling has pretty much stopped. 10. Read the volume of H2(g) produced directly off the scale of the graduated cylinder (record the proper # of digits!). This is Vlab. 11. Measure and record the temperature of the water (record the proper # of digits!). This is Tlab. Page 4

Chemistry 121

Gas Law

M. Dunn

12. Record the barometric pressure (Patmosphere) that is written on the board. . Look up and record the value of PH2O vapor. 13. Repeat entire process one more time for a second set of data. Repeat a third time only if your first two results are very different from each other. 14. Perform the calculations before leaving the lab for the day. You cannot leave until the instructor checks your results and gives you the OK:

Page 5

Chemistry 121

Gas Law

M. Dunn

DATA: Partners Name: ______________________________ Analytical Balance #________________ Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 (if needed) Mass of magnesium (g) Temperature of water (C) Vlab: Volume of H2(g) generated (in mL) Patm : Atmospheric pressure of the room (in mm Hg) Pwater: Water vapor pressure (From the posted table in mm Hg) CALCULATIONS: Trial 1 Tlab: Temperature of water (in K) Plab: Pressure of H2, in mm Hg Plab=Patm-Pwater Vlab: Volume of H2(g) generated (in L) VSTP: (in L) Trial 2 Trial 3 Sample Calculation from Trial 1

PSTP VSTP Plab Vlab TSTP Tlab

Sample calculation for VSTP

Page 6

Chemistry 121

Gas Law

M. Dunn

Trial 1 n: number of moles of H2(g) generated. Use mass of Mg and stoichiometry.

Trial 2

Trial 3

Sample calculation for n VSTP/n: Molar volume of H2(g) at STP, in L/mol Average Molar Volume:
Sample Calculation from Trial 1

Percent error: % error

average molar volume - 22.4 100 22.4

DISCUSSION: Summarize your results. Is your value of molar volume high or low? Discuss factors that contribute to your experimental error.

Page 7