Name Class Date Molar Mass of Butane Experiment Process Objectives ‘© To identify the variables needed for determining the molar mass of a gas. © To measure the volume of gas collected by indirect methods. Learning Objectives © To understand the importance of correcting an experimental gas volume to the STP volume, © To determine the molar mass of butane by using experimental data and. previously leamed equations. Introdu: n In this experiment you will determine the molar mass of butane, the gas that is used as a fuel in inexpensive disposable lighters and in fuel canisters for camp- ing stoves and lanterns. Because butane gas is insoluble in wate, it is collected by displacement of water. The partial pressure of the butane gas collected is calculated by using Daltor’s law of partial pressures. ‘The general gas law is used to correct for pressure and temperature. For additional information see Chapter 11, Section 11.3 in your text. Butane, a member of the hydrocarbon series, occurs naturally in petroleum from which itis separated by fractional distillation. It is used not only as a fuel but also in the manufacture of synthetic rubber. Safety TL Tike the necessary precautions before beginning this exper= @ iment. Wear safety soils, apron, and gloves. Read all safety SY castionsinsour procedures and discuss them with your teacher. “Se ZQ2ye It's important to use good safety techniques while conduc WO ting experiments. See pages 8 through 11 Apparatus Erlenmeyer flask, 250 mL, 2s collecting trough lass plate thermometer barometer (classroom) plastic tubing Materials butane lighter Procedures CAUTION Butane is very flammable. No flames should be used in the room while this ® experiment is in progress. Butane gas is toxic. None of it should be allowed to escape into the room. Record Your Observations Where instructed in the procedures, record your observations in your Data Table. B Molar Mass of Butane Experiment 15 95Strategy for Measuring ‘The volume markings that are shown on most Erlenmeyer flasks are only approximate and not suit- able for gas measurements. The lange volume of gas collected in this experiment is measured by difer- ence. The total amount of water contained in the flask and the amount remaining are measured. ‘The difference is the volume taken ‘up by the gas. Figure 15-1 Strategy for Identifying Refer to Dalton’ law of partial pressures and the general gas law to determine which variables must be ‘quantified in onder to calculate molar mass 96 Experiment 15 1. Fill a 250 mL Erlenmeyer flask completely full of water. Measure the ‘quantity of water in the flask by pouring the water into a graduated cylin- der. Now ref the flask and cover the top with a glass plate. 2, Fill a trough with water Carefully invert the flask in the trough without setting any air bubbles in the flask. 3, Determine the mass of a butane lighter. 4, Attach a 20 cm length of plastic tubing to a butane lighter and hold the free end beneath the mouth ofthe inverted flask, Press the release button of the lighter making sure the bubbles go into the flask. Collect about 250 mL of gas. See Figure 15-1. 5. Remove the tubing from the lighter. Determine the lighter’s mass. 6. Raise or lower the flask until the water levels inside and outside are equal. 7. Measure the temperature of the water in the trough. 8. Put the glass plate over the top of the inverted flask, Turn it upright and take it to the hood to release the gas. Measure the volume of water remaining in the flask. Record the volume in your Data Table. 10. Record the barometric pressure. 11, From the table “Water-Vapor Pressure” on page 223 of this laboratory manual find the vapor pressure of water atthe appropriate temperature, Data Table Initial mass of lighter Final mass of lighter Volume of flask . mL Volume of water in flask ater gas is released ....]_____] mt. ‘Temperature of water... °c Barometric pressure, a eeeeeeeee mum Hg) Vapor pressure of water Serer Calculations 1. Calculate the volume of gas collected. 2. Cotrect the barometric pressure forthe vapor pressure of water 3. Calculate the temperature of the water bath in K. Molar Mass of ButaneName . Class Date ‘A. Calculate the mass ofthe gas released into the cylinder from the mass of the lighter before and after the collection. 5. Comvert the volume of the gas to liters. 6. Convert the volume of the gas to STP by correcting for pressure and temperature. 7. Calculate the density of butane gas at STP. 3. Calculate the molar mass of butane. 9. Obtain the accepted value for the molar mass of butane from your teacher and calculate your percent error Calculations Table Volume of gas collected mL Partial pressure of butane... ceeeeeeefp_— a a ‘Temperature in K coo ce Mass of gas collected _____|z Volume of gas in ters... crececeecoco |. Volume of gas at STP L Density offs... ssees ee Percent error coco seve pd Question 1. Why ist necessary to raise ot lower the cylinder unt the water levels inside and outside are equal? Molar Mass of Butane Experiment 1597General Conclusions 1. What measurements need to be made in order to determine the molar mass of a gas? 2. Propane (C3Hj) is another member of the hydrocarbon series. If you want to buy 1000 g of compressed gas to take ‘on a camping trip, would you get more moles of propane or butane? 98 Experiment 15 Molar Mass of Butane