Grahams Law

The Diffusion of Gases

The movement of particles of one material through the particles of some other material (a
medium) is called diffusion. The rates of diffusion for different gases in the same medium are
different. This difference in diffusion rates can be explained by considering the following:
1. The average kinetic energy of all gas samples (particles) is equal if the gases are at
the same temperature and pressure.
2. At the same temperature and pressure, lighter gas molecules will travel at a higher
velocity than heavy gas molecules.
Therefore, the following relationship can be written:

KEa =
ma va2

KEb
mb vb2

Where m represents the molecular mass of the gas (from the periodic table) and v is the
velocity for each gas. Simplifying the equation to show the relationship between mass and
velocity yields:

va2 = mb
vb2 ma

or

va =
vb

mb
ma

The above equation can be restated in words by Grahams Law of Diffusion: Under the same
conditions of temperature and pressure, the rates of diffusion of two gases vary inversely as the
square roots of their molecular masses.
In this experiment, you will determine experimentally the relative rates of diffusion of
two gases, hydrogen chloride (HCl) and ammonia (NH3). You will then express your
experimental results in the form of a ratio and will establish a relationship between the rate of
diffusion of a gas and the molecular mass of the particles.
Objectives:
In this experiment you will:
1. React HCl and NH3 in a diffusion apparatus.
2. Measure the distance traveled by each gas to the point where the reaction occurs.
3. Calculate the diffusion rates for the gases based on distance traveled.
4. Compare your experimental ratio of diffusion rates with the theoretical ratio predicted
by Grahams law.
Equipment and Reagents:
Goggles
Glass tubing
1-250 mL beaker
Tap water
Aluminum foil
Test tube clamp

2 Q-tips
Wax marking pencil
Ruler (metric)
Concentrated hydrogen chloride (HCl)
Concentrated ammonia (NH3)
Ring stand

Procedure:
1. Obtain one length of dry glass tubing, 30 cm to 60 cm long.
2. Obtain two Q-tip swabs and two 4-inch squares of aluminum foil.
3. Obtain and prepare two cotton swabs by inserting them through the center of the squares
of aluminum foil.
4. Dip one swab into the HCl solution.
5. Dip one swab into the NH3 solution.
6. At the same time, insert the Q-tips in the opposite ends of the glass tubing the same
distance and seal the opening with the aluminum foil. (Dont forget which end is the HCl
and which end is the NH3!!)
7. Be careful to keep the glass tubing assembly horizontal (level) to the table.
8. Place a mark on the outside of the glass tubing on either end to mark the front edges of
each Q-tip.
9. A reaction will occur at the point where the two gases meet. It will take from 2 to 5
minutes to begin. A white vapor ring will form as in the figure below. Quickly mark the
point where the reaction begins with the wax pencil. Do not wait!!! The ring will begin to
move as soon as it forms so be quick!
white smoke ring

HCl

NH3

10. After you have observed the beginning of the reaction and marked the tube, remove the
cotton swabs and foil and put them immediately into a 250 mL beaker filled with tap
water to dilute and neutralize the solution. After the swabs have sat for at least 2 minutes
in the water, throw away the swabs in the trash.
11. With a metric ruler, measure carefully the distance traveled by each of the gases. Enter
these distances in Data Table-1. Rinse the tube with water and scrub any markings from
the glass. Dry the outside of the tubes and return them to your instructor.
Data Table-1
Distance traveled by HCl

cm

Distance traveled by NH3

cm

Molecular mass of HCl

g/mol

Molecular mass of NH3

g/mol

Questions:
1. Which of the molecules do you predict would travel faster?
2. Since the time interval was the same for both gases in this experiment, you can use the
distance traveled as the measure of diffusion rate. Using the distance, calculate the ratio
of the rate of diffusion of the faster molecules to the rate of diffusion of the slower
molecules.
Diffusion rate = distance traveled by the faster molecules =
distance traveled by the slower molecules

cm =
cm

This is now your experimental ratio of the velocities of your two gases.
3. According to the kinetic theory, the average kinetic energy of molecules varies directly as
the temperature. Since the temperature was the same for both gases, all molecules must
have the same average kinetic energy. The kinetic energy of a particle can be determined
by the equation:

KE = m v2
Using a to represent NH3 and b to represent HCl:
For NH3:

KE = ma va2

For HCl:

KE = mb vb2

Set the two equations equal to each other (as in the introduction) and solve for the ratio of
their velocities, Va/Vb, in terms of mass. (You dont have to be a mathematical genius
here. This is already done for you in the introduction! Just write the answer here):

4. Calculate the molecular masses of HCl and NH3. Substitute these molecular masses into
the equation you just wrote in Question #3. Compare your experimental ratio of velocities
(answer to question #2) with your calculated ratio from the molecular masses (answer to
question #3)

5. By simply examining your results, which gas molecules have the greater velocities?
6. If gas molecules mb have twice the mass of gas molecules ma, will mb diffuse at the
rate of ma? Explain.

7. Write a balanced equation for the reaction that took place in the glass tube to form the
white smoke ring.