DISCUSSIONS

The basic principle of diffusion that occurs in the capillary tube is from high
concentration to low concentration. The objectives of this experiment are to determine the gas
diffusion coefficient of ethanol using the established Winkelmanns method. The diffusion of
the vapour of ethanol (volatile liquid) into another gas can be conveniently studied can by
confining a small sample of the liquid in a narrow vertical tube, and observing its rate
of evaporation into a stream of gas passed across the top of the tube. The surface of ethanol
with high concentration and the air inside the tube has low concentration. This will make the
ethanol become vapor when it is heated with warm water that was boiled at 40 oC and 45oC.
The ethanol become vapor and diffused to the air.

The trend of graph is directly proportional. The equation used to get the slope is y = mx + c

and the value of the slope at 40 C is 19.396

s
m2

s
m2

while at 45 C the slope is 16.283

The diffusivity value at 40 C and 45 C is 1.872 x 10

respectively. The significance of correlation

R2

m
s

and 2.22 x 10

-7

m
s

for 40oC and 45oC is 0.2734 and 0.7035

respectively which is lesser than expected. From the graph, it can be observed that the graph
plotted for the temperature of 40oC is a little bit steeper than the graph plotted for the
temperature of 45oC. Other than that, from the graph plotted, the value of slope can be
obtained easily and the calculation of diffusivity of the vapour can be proceeding. The value
of diffusivity is affected by the temperature. The higher the temperature, the diffusivity of the
vapour or the diffusion coefficient of ethanol would increase. Diffusion is the movement of
molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of lower concentration
and this is increased with increasing temperature which means when the temperature
increase the diffusion will speeds up (Faghri et.al, 2010). Thus, if the temperature is higher,
then probably it would increase the rate of diffusion by increasing the kinetic activity of
the solution. The molecules of the solution would be moving more vigorously

and

so

naturally

the

chances

of

them

moving

membrane would be much better

through

pores

( C u s s l e r,

Therefore, the molecules spread from high to low

in

2009).

concentration

more

rapidly.
Partial pressure and concentration give an effect on the rate of diffusion (Roger, 1950). From
the Antoine equation, the correlation between partial pressure and concentration is when the
partial pressure increases, it is easier for the solvent to evaporate due to pressure that affects
the movement of the molecular particles in the solvent (Bengt, 1997). But for the
concentration, an increase in concentration, the diffusion takes a longer time because more
particles are there in the solvent.

The fact is the boiling point of ethanol is 78.37C and if the temperature of the ethanol
is exceeding

the boiling

point temperature

the

diffusivity will not

be implemented. This is caused by the characteristics of the ethanol solution which is volatile.
An increase in pressure has a significant effect on the relative volatility of the component in a
liquid mixture like the ethanol. Therefore, the temperature conducted in this experiment must
not exceed the boiling point of the ethanol because it will increase the rate of volatility of
ethanol (Cameron, 1999). Thus, it will be harder to read the level of meniscus on the sliding
vernier scale since the solution is volatile rapidly.

The value obtain from the result might be different with the actual because there may be
some error occur during the experiment is done. The common error that always occurs is the
position of the eye during taking the volume at the telescope. The eye position should be
straight to the scale and must be parallel to the meniscus. Other than that, the experiment
should be repeated at least three times to get the accurate values and this can reduce the
mistake during the experiment is done.

DISCUSSION

Based on the data given throughout the experiment, the data consists of time (ks), Level
of Acetone (mm), Liquid fall (mm) and also time over liquid fall (ks/mm) has been tabled.
Liquid fall and time over liquid fall must be calculated. Time used is 0min, 10 min,20 min,30
min,40 min,50 min,and 60 min which then converted to kilosecond(ks) while first reading of
the level of acetone (mm) is 78.5 mm followed by 80.3mm,81.2mm, 81.45mm,83.1mm,
83.3mm, and 84.1mm. Liquid fall is calculated by using the reading of next level minus first
level of level of Acetone in unit mm. Same goes to time over liquid fall which is calculated in
ks/mm.
The value of time over liquid fall with each liquid fall which are 0.00 mm;0.00
ks/mm,1.80 mm;0.333 ks/mm,2.70 mm;0.444 ks/mm,2.95 mm;0.610 ks/mm,4.60 mm;0.522
ks/mm,4.80 mm;0.625 ks/mm and 5.60mm;0.643 ks/mm. By using both of this value, a graph
is plotted to defined the gradient and the gas diffusion coefficient or diffusivity,D is
calculated in m2. Then, from the result of deffusion its proved that gas diffusion coefficient
can be determine by using the established Winkelmanns method.The plot of time over liquid
fall (ks/mm) against liquid fall (mm) displays a line increasing from left to right. There are no
errors occur during the experiment.

Top up atas

The basic principle of diffusion that occurs in the capillary tube is from high
concentration to low concentration. The objectives of this experiment are to determine the gas
diffusion coefficient of ethanol using the established Winkelmanns method. The diffusion of
the vapour of acetone (volatile liquid) into another gas can be conveniently studied can by
confining a small sample of the liquid in a narrow vertical tube, and observing its rate
of evaporation into a stream of gas passed across the top of the tube. The surface of acetone
with high concentration and the air inside the tube has low concentration. This will make the
acetone become vapor when it is heated with warm water (50 C). The acetone become vapor
and diffused to the air.