DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.

Analysis/Conclusion:

 

The purpose of this lab was to determine how intermolecular interactions affect physical properties. During this lab, the molecular interactions of ethanol and acetone were compared. Then, by graphing the inverse temperature vs. the natural log of pressure, it was possible to calculate the heat of vaporization. The heats of vaporization for both ethanol and acetone were calculated using the Clausius-Clapeyron equation: . The heat of vaporization for ethanol was calculated as 18,789.64 J/mol. The heat of vaporization for acetone was calculated as 17,459.4 J/mol. Although the lab seemed to run rather smoothly, the calculated values did not reach the average values provided in the lab handout, indicating the probability of error.

 

As in any lab, the possibility for error is inevitable. For example, the stopper needed to be inserted tightly and quickly in order to preserve the results. If the stopper was not inserted quickly enough, some of the ethanol and acetone gas produced may have been released into the air, falsifying the data. Additionally, if data collection was started to early or too late, inaccurate curves may have been generated, leading to inaccurate calculations. In future labs, I would emphasize the importance of properly recording data, and quickly inserting the stopper into the flask, in order to preserve data and ensure accurate results. I would also increase the number of trials for this lab, in order to achieve more plentiful and accurate data.

DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.