Through this lab experiment, the freezing point of a mixture of an unknown solute and lauric acid will be measured.  From the freezing point change, the formula weight of the solute will be calculated. The cooling curve will be obtained by cooling the solvent/solution slowly while monitoring the temperature change and mixing the contents of the test tube.  About 8.0 grams of solvent is measured and placed into a test tube, then melted.  About 0.50 grams of the unknown sample is measured to the nearest milligram and added to the solvent in the test tube.  Both of the contents are melted together and the solution is dissolved with the unknown solute.  The data collection is started and the cooling curve is recorded while stirring the solvent in the test tube.  Finally, the cooling curve of the entire solution is recorded, and from the freezing point depression determined, the molecular weight of the unknown solute can be calculated.