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EXPERIMENT B1: MOLAR VOLUME OF A GAS

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this lab, the student will be able to:

1) Demonstrate a single replacement reaction.
2) Calculate the molar volume of a gas at STP using experimental data.
3) Calculate the molar mass of a metal using experimental data.

Introduction

Metals that are above hydrogen in the activity series will displace hydrogen from an
acid and produce hydrogen gas. Magnesium is an example of a metal that is more
active than hydrogen in the activity series. The reaction between magnesium metal
and aqueous hydrochloric acid is an example of a single replacement reaction (a
type of redox reaction). The chemical equation for this reaction is shown below:

Mg(s) + 2HCl(aq) ! MgCl2(aq) + H2(g) Equation 1

When the reaction between the metal and the acid is conducted in a eudiometer, the
volume of the hydrogen gas produced can be easily determined. In the experiment
described below magnesium metal will be reacted with an excess of hydrochloric
acid and the volume of hydrogen gas produced at the experimental conditions will
be determined.

According to Avogadro’s law, the volume of one mole of any gas at Standard
Temperature and Pressure (STP = 273 K and 1 atm) is 22.4 L.

Two important Gas Laws are required in order to convert the experimentally
determined volume of hydrogen gas to that at STP.

1. Dalton’s law of partial pressures.
2. Combined gas law.

Dalton’s Law of Partial Pressures

According to Dalton’s law of partial pressures in a mixture of non-reacting gases, the
total pressure exerted is equal to the sum of the partial pressures of the individual
gases.

For instance, if there is a mixture of two gases whose individual partial pressures
are P1 and P2, then the total pressure exerted by the two gases, PT is given by:

PT = P1 + P2 Equation 2
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In order to see how this law applies to the current experiment, it is important to
understand the experimental set up. As stated above, the reaction between
magnesium metal and aqueous hydrochloric acid will be conducted in a eudiometer.
See Figure 1 below.





H2(g) + H2O(g)



Patm HCl(aq)


Mg(s)


Water




FIGURE 1: EXPERIMENTAL SET UP

The magnesium metal is attached to the stopper of the eudiometer. The aqueous
hydrochloric acid is in the eudiometer. The inverted eudiometer is placed inside a
water bath. When the metal comes in contact with the acid, the reaction produces
hydrogen gas. The hydrogen gas fills the eudiometer. The reaction continues until all
the magnesium metal (which is the limiting reagent in this experiment) is
completely consumed.

As shown in Figure 1, the H2(g) that is formed is combined with water vapor. The
water vapor is a result of the vapor pressure of water found in the aqueous medium.
Therefore, the two gases: H2(g) and H2O(g) are both found in the eduiometer.

Assuming the surface of liquid in te eudiometer is level with the water outside, the
total pressure of the gases inside the eudiometer is the same as the atmospheric
pressure. A barometer that is found in the laboratory is used to determine the
atmospheric pressure.

Therefore, according to Dalton’s law:

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Patm = PH 2 + PH 2O Equation 3

In the above equation, PH 2 is the partial pressure of the hydrogen gas produced in
the experiment and
€ PH 2O is the vapor pressure of water at the temperature at which
the experimented is conducted.
€
The pressure, volume, and temperature of the H2(g) produced in the experiment are
€
needed to calculate the molar volume of the gas at STP. Therefore Equation 3 is
rearranged as follows:

PH 2 = Patm − PH 2O Equation 4

The vapor pressure of water varies with temperature. The vapor pressure of water
at the temperature (T, in Kelvin) at which the experiment is conducted may be
€
approximately determined using the following formula (the origin of the formula is
beyond the scope of the current discussion).

# 5132 &
PH 2O = exp%20.386 − (mmHg Equation 5
$ T '


Combined Gas Law
€

As discussed in the previous section, the experiment allows for the determination of
pressure, volume, and temperature of H2(g). Avogadro’s law specifies that the volume
of one mole of any gas at STP is 22.4 L.

Therefore two calculations are necessary to determine the molar volume of a gas at
STP using the experimental results.

1. The volume of the gas at STP is calculated using the combined gas law.

2. The stoichiometry of the reaction (Equation 1) is used to determine the
number of moles of the gas produced.

The mathematical form of the combined gas law is given below:

P1V1 P2V2
= Equation 6
T1 T2

In Equation 6, assume that the values of pressure, volume, and temperature (in
Kelvin), obtained from the experiment are respectively, P1, V1, and T1. Then, V2
€
would be the volume at STP, P2 is 1 atm and T2 is 273 K. These values should be
substituted in Equation 6 to solve for V2.
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Finally, the moles of H2(g) produced in the experiment must be determined in order
to obtain the volume of one mole of the gas. The experiment is designed such that
the magnesium metal is the limiting reagent. Therefore, if the mass of the
magnesium metal is known, the moles of H2(g) produced can easily be determined
using the reaction stoichiometery (Equation 1).

Sample Data and Calculation

In a certain experiment, 0.0369 grams of magnesium was reacted with excess HCl.
The reaction resulted in 38.2 mL of H2(g) at 22°C. The barometric pressure was
recorded as 749.2 mm of Hg. Calculate the molar volume of the gas at STP.

Mass of magnesium metal = 0.0369 grams

Atomic mass of magnesium metal = 24 grams/mol

Moles of magnesium metal = 0.00154 moles

Mg(s) + 2HCl(aq) ! MgCl2(aq) + H2(g)

1 mole H 2
Moles of H2(g) = Moles of Mg × = 0.00154 moles
1 mole Mg

Temperature of H2(g) = 22°C = 295 K = T1

€ # 5132 &
Calculate the PH2O using equation 5: PH 2O = exp%20.386 − (mmHg
$ T '

PH2O = 19.89 mm of Hg
€
Barometric pressure = 749.2 mm of Hg

PH2 = 749.2 – 19.89 = 729.31 mm of Hg = P1

Volume of H2(g) = 38.2 mL = 0.0382 L = V1

At STP:

Pressure = 760 mm of Hg = P2

Temperature = 273 K = T2

Use Equation 6 to solve for V2:
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P1V1 T2 729.31mmHg × 0.0382L × 273K
V2 = × = = 0.0339L
T1 P2 295K × 760mmHg

Moles of H2 = 0.00154 moles

€ 0.0339L L
= 22.0
Therefore molar volume = 0.00154moles mol

€
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Experimental Design

A small piece of magnesium metal will be tied to the stopper of a eudiometer. The
eudiometer is filled with aqueous hydrochloric acid. The eudiometer will be
inverted and suspended into a water bath. The volume and temperature of the gas
should be recorded. Also, the atmospheric pressure should be recorded from the
barometer in the laboratory.

Reagents and Supplies

Magnesium metal, 6 M hydrochloric acid

50-mL eudiometer, 600-mL beaker, thermometer, copper wire, sandpaper

(See posted Material Safety Data Sheets)

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Procedure

1. Obtain a 50-mL eudiometer and a thermometer from the stockroom. Also obtain
a buret stand and clamp from the laboratory.

2. Place a 100-mL graduated cylinder in an empty 600-mL beaker. Clamp the
graduated cylinder in place and fill the graduated cylinder with water to the rim.

3. Cut a 2-cm strip of magnesium metal and scrape the metal with sandpaper to
remove any dark oxides.

4. Measure the mass of the magnesium metal. [NOTE: The magnesium is the
limiting reagent in this experiment]

5. Coil the magnesium strip. Using the copper wire, attach the magnesium metal to
the inside of the stopper for the eudiometer, by forming a wire cage around the
magnesium metal.

6. Add 10 mL of 6 M HCl into the eudiometer.

7. Fill the remainder of the eudiometer with deionized water slowly, attempting
the disturb the HCl as little as possible. [NOTE: Normally, concentrated acid is
added to water for dilution purpose. In this step, the reverse process is being
recommended. Care must be taken to avoid spills or splashing.]

8. Seal the eudiometer with the stopper. Place the stoppered eudiometer above the
100-mL graduated cylinder containing water and turn it upside down. Immerse
the stopper end of the eudiometer completely under water.

9. Clamp the eudiometer to the buret stand. The reaction between the magnesium
metal and the HCl will start momentarily and hydrogen gas will collect in the
eudiometer. The aqueous solution will be pushed out through the stopper into
the 100-mL graduated cylinder, which will overflow into the 600-mL beaker that
the graduated cylinder is placed in.

10. When the reaction is complete, move the eudiometer so that the level of the
water in the eudiometer is equal with the water inside. If this is not possible,
record the difference in height between the eudiometer and the graduated
cylinder.

11. Measure and record the volume of the hydrogen gas.

12. Record the temperature of the water and assume this to be the temperature of
the hydrogen gas.

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13. Record the barometric pressure.

14. Empty the contents of the eudiometer into the 600-mL beaker and the contents
of the 600-mL beaker into the waste container provided by the instructor. Rinse
the eudiometer with deionized water.

15. Repeat steps 3-14.
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Data Table


Trial 1 Trial 2


Mass of magnesium
(grams)


Volume of H2(g), L



Temperature of H2(g), K



Barometric pressure,
mm of Hg


Height difference
between eudiometer
and graduated cylinder


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Calculations

MOLAR VOLUME OF A GAS AT STP


Trial 1 Trial 2

Mass of magnesium,
grams


Atomic mass of
magnesium (grams/mol)


Moles of Magnesium


Moles of H2(g)
(use stoichiometry)

Temperature of H2(g)
(T1 in Kelvin)

Volume of H2(g)
(V1 in L)

Barometric pressure
(PT in mm of Hg)

PH 2O(g ) (mm of Hg)
(use Equation 5)

PH 2 (g ) (same as P1) (mm of
€
Hg) (use Equation 4)

Volume of H2(g) at STP
€ (V2 in L) (use Equation 6)

Molar volume of H2(g) at
STP (L/mol)

Percent error

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ATOMIC MASS OF A METAL

Assume that the identity of the metal used in the experiment (i.e., magnesium) is
unknown. Assume also that the stoichiometry of the reaction between the unknown
metal M and HCl is as follows:

M(s) + 2HCl(aq) !MCl2(aq) + H2(g)

Using the data collected, calculate the atomic mass of the metal M


Trial 1 Trial 2


Temperature of H2(g)
(T1 in Kelvin)

Volume of H2(g)
(V in L)

Barometric pressure
(PT in mm of Hg)

PH 2O(g ) (mm of Hg)
(use Equation 5)

PH 2 (g ) (mm of Hg) (use
€
Equation 4)

Moles of H2(g) produced
€ (HINT: PV = nRT)

Moles of metal (use
stoichiometry)

Mass of metal in grams
(from the data table)
Atomic mass of metal
" grams %
$ '
# moles &
Average value of Atomic
" grams %
mass $ '
# moles &
€