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A Sect B Experimental

This file contains a chemistry experiment scenario where a student determines the molar mass of an unknown gas by weighing a syringe filled with air and then the unknown gas, and recording the room temperature. The student’s method involves specific assumptions about atmospheric pressure, air composition, and measurement uncertainties. The file includes calculation questions and prompts about error analysis, identification of uncertainties, and possible identities for the unknown gas

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Pratik Surani
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61 views2 pages

A Sect B Experimental

This file contains a chemistry experiment scenario where a student determines the molar mass of an unknown gas by weighing a syringe filled with air and then the unknown gas, and recording the room temperature. The student’s method involves specific assumptions about atmospheric pressure, air composition, and measurement uncertainties. The file includes calculation questions and prompts about error analysis, identification of uncertainties, and possible identities for the unknown gas

Uploaded by

Pratik Surani
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Paper 1 Section B Experimental work (4) with worked

answers
A student determined the enthalpy of combustion of ethanol using a spirit lamp to heat up a known
mass of water as shown in the diagram below:

A mass of 0.553 g of ethanol was combusted. This was measured by filling the spirit lamp with ethanol,
and weighing it before and after the experiment, Other than when the ethanol was being combusted a
cap was placed on the spirit lamp. The temperature of the 250 g of water increased by 10.4 oC during
the experiment.

(a) State why it is necessary to use a cap on the spirit lamp other than when the ethanol is being
combusted. [1]

To prevent any of the ethanol from evaporating (particularly when the spirit lamp was hot after the
combustion), as this would have affected the mass. [1]

(b) State the equation for the complete combustion of ethanol including all the states. [2]

C2H5OH(l) + 3O2(g) → 2CO2(g) + 3H2O(l) Correctly balanced equation [1]; Correct states [1]

(c) Show that the enthalpy of combustion of ethanol determined from the experiment is equal to
– 906 kJ mol−1 if the specific heat capacity of water is taken as 4.18 kJ kg−1 K−1. [2]

Heat evolved by combusting 0.553 g = 4.18 x 0.250 x 10.4 = 10.868 kJ [1]


M(C2H5OH) = (2 x 12.01) + (6 x 1.01) + 16.00 = 46.08 g mol−1
ΔH = − (46.08 ÷ 0.553) x 10.868 = − 906 kJ mol−1 (minus as it is exothermic) [1]

© Dr. Geoffrey Neuss, InThinking


https://www.thinkib.net/chemistry 1
(d) Use the enthalpy of combustion of ethanol given in the data booklet to determine the experimental
error. [1]

Experimental error = ((1367 – 906) ÷ 1367) x 100 = 33.7% [1]

(e) In his evaluation of the experiment the student listed the following reasons which contributed to the
experimental error.

• There was incomplete combustion as the ethanol was being combusted in air, not oxygen.
• There was considerable heat loss from the apparatus during the combustion.
• The ethanol may not have been completely pure.
• The water used in the beaker was tap water, not distilled water.
• All of the 0.553 g of ethanol was assumed to have combusted.
• Only one result was obtained - The experiment should have been repeated several times and an
average taken.

Suggest three more reasons that contributed to the experimental error. [3]

Any three from:


The water in the beaker needed to be stirred to ensure a uniform temperature throughout.
The heat content of the glass, thermometer and stirrer (if used) needed to be taken into account as
these were also being heated up.
The uncertainties associated with the thermometer, balance and mass of water should be taken into
account.
The experimental error was obtained by comparing the result obtained with the standard enthalpy of
combustion but the reaction was not carried out under standard conditions. [3 max]

© Dr. Geoffrey Neuss, InThinking


https://www.thinkib.net/chemistry 2

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