CHENG, SAMANTHA DENNISE G.

11/10/2021
EXPERIMENT 7

ABSTRACT
In this experiment, we were able to determine the unknown gas our experiment produced and the
molecular weight of that gas. We achieved the molecular weight of the unknown gas by applying our data to the
ideal gas law. In the end, we were not able to identify the unknown gas due to the high molar mass value that we
got from the experiment. The high molar mass value is due to some errors that have been committed during the
experiment. The high temperatures during the experiment also in turn increased the pressure, which led to a
molar mass error.

INTRODUCTION
To help us get to know about our unknown gas more, we must know that all of the characteristics of a gas,
such as temperature and pressure, greatly affect the way a gas behaves. The gas law that we used in this
experiment is the ideal gas law. The ideal gas is a gas that has molecules that would collide elastically with each
other and it also has no volume. The equation of the ideal gas law is PV=nRT. This equation could be used to
calculate the molar mass of the unknown gas. Since 1 mole is equal to 6.022 × 1023 atoms, we could make the
molar mas equation be

𝑚
n= 𝑀
𝑚
PV= 𝑀
×RT
𝑚𝑅𝑇
M= 𝑃𝑉
𝑚𝑅𝑇
M= 𝑃𝑉
.

This equation was used to calculate the molar mass of the gas that we have produced. To determine the
molar mass of the gas, we get the volume of it by getting the volume of the displaced water, calculate the mass of
the gas by subtracting the initial and final mass of the flask system, record the air and water vapor pressure, and
then apply all these data into the ideal gas equation.

METHODS
In this experiment, we were able to determine the molar mass of the unknown gas. We used the water tub
set up to obtain the unknown gas’ data. Through this setup, we acquired the unknown gas’ mass and volume. We
obtained these data by following some procedures. The procedures are as follows: recording the temperature and
the pressure of the environment, checking the water displacement, and recording the initial and final weight of
the flask system. Once we acquired all of these data, we were able to obtain the molar mass of the unknown gas
by applying the data to the ideal gas equation.
RESULTS
Table 1 <Data Gathered During Experiment>

Air Pressure (units according to source) 0.9978atm 0.9978atm

Water vapor pressure (units according to source) 0.0458atm 0.0455atm

Initial weight of gas generation vessel + vinegar (g) 108.82g 109.16g

Weight of wax paper + unknown powder (g) 1.37g 1.66g

Weight of system before reaction (g) 109.66g 116.43g

Weight of system after reaction (g) 97.99g 98.84g

Temperature (oC) at each trial 31.6oC 31.5oC

Corrected air pressure (atm) 0.9520atm 0.9523atm

Volume of gas produced (mL) 230mL 240mL

Weight of gas produced (g) 11.67g 17.59g

𝑔 𝑔
Molar mass of gas (g/mol) 1333 𝑚𝑜𝑙
1925 𝑚𝑜𝑙
𝑔
Average molar mass of gas (g/mol) 1629 𝑚𝑜𝑙
DISCUSSION

This experiment’s objective was to determine the unknown gas that was produced, but we were not able
to determine what it is. We were not able to determine the unknown gas due to the high temperature of the
environment during the experiment, which then also increased the pressure. The pressure was also affected
because temperature and pressure are directly proportional to each other. AtQ<question3> The amount of air
present in the flask and the rubber tubing before the reaction would affect the volume of the gas produced during
the reaction because the volume is directly proportional to the amount of air. The additional air that is in the flask
and the rubber tubing would make the volume of the gas slightly higher due to the additional air molecules. This is
another possible factor that could affect our molar mass value.

A scenario that could have possibly made our molar mass larger than what we thought is when the gas
that was produced is soluble in water. AtQ<question4>If the unknown gas that was produced is soluble in water,
then it will make our volume larger since the gas will dissolve into the water. This will make the initial water level
be farther apart from the final water level, which is where we will be able to obtain our unknown gas’ volume. This
volume of the gas is then a part of the calculation to obtain the molar mass, and since the gas dissolved into the
water, the molar mass would not be accurate because the solvent is included in the volume of the gas.

AtQ<question1> Other sources of error that could have happened in the experiment are our
measurements, the acidity of the vinegar, and the amount of unknown powder used. Some measurements that
could affect our results are the volume and mass of the gas. If we incorrectly measure these data, then our molar
mass value will deviate from the theoretical yield. Therefore, we must always measure our data accurately in
order for our results to be more accurate. Another error that may happen is when the vinegar’s acidity level is
low. The vinegar is the one that is triggering the reaction, so if the acidity level of the vinegar is low, then the
reaction may not happen. Lastly, the amount of the unknown powder must not go above or below the required
amount. If the amount is below the required amount, then the reaction may not happen, and if it is more than the
said amount, then there would be an excess reactant that may mess the experiment up. An additional error that
may have occurred is when the system is weighed while it is still wet. AtQ<question5> Weighing your system
whilst wet will affect the mass of the gas. This is because the few water droplets that are on your system will add
up to the mass of the gas once we subtract the initial and final mass of the system. Therefore, we should always
dry our containers where we weigh our experiment in order to prevent errors in measurements.

We acquired the mass and the volume of our unknown gas by observing the initial and final weight of the
flask system and the water bottle’s water level. We could acquire the weight of the gas by subtracting the initial
and the final weight of the flask system and then we could also acquire the volume of the gas by measuring how
much water is needed to fill the water bottle from the initial to the final mark. We could say that the weight and
the volume of the gas are directly proportional to each other. In trial 1 of our experiment, our volume is 230mL
and the mass is 11.67g while in trial 2, our volume is 240mL and the mass is 17.59g. We could see that as the
volume increases, the mss of the gas would also decrease, making the volume and the mass directly proportional
to each other.
SAMPLE CALCULATIONS

MASS OF GAS PRODUCED

The initial weight of system-final weight= mass of gas

109.66g-97.99g= 11.67g

PRESSURE CORRECTION AND CONVERSION

Air-water pressure

1 𝑎𝑡𝑚
Air pressure- 1011mb- 1011mb × 1013.25𝑚𝑏
= 0.9977794226 atm= 0.9978 atm
1 𝑎𝑡𝑚
Water pressure- 34.8mmHg- 34.8mmHg × 759.9998769899𝑚𝑚𝐻𝑔
= 0.0457894811 atm = 0.0458 atm
0.9978-0.0458= 0.9520 atm

MM of gas
𝑚𝑅𝑇
MM= 𝑃𝑉
𝑎𝑡𝑚 𝐿
(11.67𝑔)(0.0821 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐾 )(304.75𝐾)
MM= (0.9520𝑎𝑡𝑚)(0.23𝐿)
𝑔
MM= 1333.499764 𝑚𝑜𝑙
𝑔
MM= 1333 𝑚𝑜𝑙

CONCLUSION
In conclusion, we were not able to reach the objective of this research, which is to determine what the
unknown gas is. It was not met due to the high temperature of the environment, which then also affected the
pressure and also made it higher. Both of these factors made our molar mass value too large, making us unable to
determine what our unknown gas is.

REFERENCES

According to Avogadro’s law, as the number of moles of gas increases, what happens to its volume? | Socratic.

(n.d.). Socratic.Org. Retrieved November 12, 2021, from

https://socratic.org/questions/according-to-avogadro-s-law-as-the-number-of-moles-of-gas-incr

eases-what-happens
How do you calculate the molar mass of a gas? + Example. (n.d.). Socratic.Org. Retrieved November 12,

2021, from https://socratic.org/questions/how-do-you-calculate-the-molar-mass-of-a-gas

Manila Historical Weather. (n.d.). Manila Historical Weather. WorldWeatherOnline.Com. Retrieved November

12, 2021, from https://www.worldweatheronline.com/manila-weather-history/manila/ph.aspx

What is the ideal gas law? (article). (n.d.). Khan Academy. Retrieved November 12, 2021, from

https://www.khanacademy.org/science/physics/thermodynamics/temp-kinetic-theory-ideal-gas-

law/a/what-is-the-ideal-gas-law