Chem 1411 Experiment: Gas Laws

Introduction:

Physical properties of matter in gaseous form are nearly identical regardless of the
chemical. This fact allows for a general ideal gas law to be stated based on the work of Boyle,
Charles, Gay-Lussac, and Avogadro. Boyle's law defines the relationship between pressure and
volume, P
initial
V
initial
= P
final
V
final
or PV = nRT with n, R, and T constant. Charles' law defines the
relationship between volume and temperature, V/T = nR/P with n, R, and P constant. Gay-
Lussac's law defines the relationship between pressure and temperature, P/T = nR/V with n, R,
and V constant. Lastly, Avogadro law defines the relationship between volume and number of
moles, V
initial
/n
initial
= V
final
/n
final
or V/n = nRT/P with T, R, and P constant. These four laws
combine to create an Ideal Gas Law:
PV = nRT
Pressure(atm)*Volume(L) = # of moles(mol)*Gas Constant(L*atm/K*mol)*Temperature(K)
R = 0.082058 L*atm/K*mol

Procedure:

Record total volume of erlenmeyer flask & mass of balloon
& string.

Record temperature and volume/mass (@73g) of HCl
solution and mass of carbonate salt.

Place salts in flask. Partially attach deflated balloon to
opening of flask, leaving sufficient room to add HCl.

Pour HCl into flask and immediately cover opening with
balloon.

When reaction is done, tie off balloon. Measure diameter &
mass of balloon. Measure total volume of water and salt
solution.







Observations:

max flask volume (L):
flask mass (g):
balloon mass (g):
weighing paper mass (g):
string mass (g):

temperature (C):
temperature (K):
salt mass (g):
salt moles (mol):
HCl volume (L):
HCl moles (mol):

Balloon diameter (cm):
Balloon mass (g):
CO
2
mass (g):
CO
2
moles (mol):

Post reaction volume (L):
post reaction mass (g):




Data and Calculations: see observation's data and calculation sheet.

Discussion and Conclusions:

Based on the Ideal Gas Law, we were able to successfully identify the salt used in the
experiment as Li
2
CO
3
. Three trials were conducted to achieve our objective. The first trial was
difficult because we did not have our "timing" well coordinated, so much of the air was lost. The
subsequent trials were performed more smoothly. While obtaining an accurate volume
measurement of air proved difficult since the balloon did not produce a sphere, based on the
results from trial 2 and 3, the relationship between pressure, volume, temperature, and number of
moles was verified. This experiment explored the specific relationship between volume and
number of moles. Thus the work of Avogadro and his law provided the main basis for this
experiment.

Error Analysis:

Throughout the three trials, a common problems leading to error was collecting all the air
produced in the reaction. A large quantity of air was lost in the first trial, which explains the
125.07% error. The following two trials saw a decrease in error since my partner and I adjusted
the timing of placing the balloon over the opening after adding the salt.

An additional source of error was measuring the volume in the balloon. The balloon
never became a sphere, but looked more like an ellipse. To compensate, we applied slight
pressure on the ends of the balloon to adjust the shape to spherical while the circumference was
measured.