CENTRAL PHILIPPINE ChE 5105 Chemical

UNIVERSITY Engineering Laboratory 2

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Jaro, Iloilo City, Philippines
Diffusivity of Volatile
Group No. Experiment. No. 4
Liquids
I. OBJECTIVES:
1. Understand Fick’s law as it relates to the unimolecular diffusion of a volatile organic
compound in a stagnant column of air.
2. Measure and compare the evaporation rates for different volatile organic compounds in a
stagnant column of air.
3. Determine the experimental diffusivity values from the evaporation data using a bestfit-
line.
4. Compare the experimental diffusivity value with values reported in the literature or value
predicted by an empirical equation.

II. Theory

III. MATERIALS AND APPARATUS:

● Ruler
● Analytical balance
● Stopwatch/ Any time-measuring device
● Graduated Cylinder
● Test tubes (3)
● Test tube rack
● Thermometer

IV. PROCEDURE:

Preparation of Materials and Apparatus

All the materials and apparatus needed for the experiment were gathered and cleaned.
Three different volatile compounds were prepared namely methanol, hydrochloric acid and
ammonia solution. These compounds were selected to prevent convection in the cylinder because
their molecular weights are heavier than that of air. Next, the test tubes’ height and diameter
were measured using a ruler. This was done in order to make sure that the test tubes have a
length to diameter ratio of at least 4.0 since the diffusion path must be at least 4 times the
cylinder diameter. The length and diameter of the test tubes used in this experiment were 17cm
and 1.5cm respectively.
Preparation of the Compounds
Each compound were measured in the fume hood to prevent inhalation of these chemicals
and placed the samples in beakers. Using the graduated cylinder ten (10) ml of each compounds
were measured and transferred to every test tube with corresponding labels to avoid confusion.
The test tubes were then covered immediately to prevent any evaporation before the experiment
proper.
Measuring the Weight of the Test Tubes and Test Tubes with the Compounds
Before the compounds were transferred to the test tubes, each test tubes were weighed
using the analytical balance. After the samples were transferred, the initial weight (liquid + test
tube) and height of the samples were measured using the analytical balance and ruler
respectively.
Evaporation and Measuring the Weight and Height of Each Compounds
After determining the initial weights and heights of the compounds, we placed the
samples vertically upright in a test tube rack. Then, the cover for each test tube was removed. We
let the test tubes stand by and evaporate for thirty (30) minutes. To make sure that the
evaporation of the compounds took thirty minutes, a stopwatch was used. The temperature for
each test tubes were measured using a thermometer. After thirty minutes, we covered the test
tubes and measured the weight and height remained in the test tubes. The procedure was repeated
for three trials, thirty minutes of evaporation for each trial.
Cleaning of the Apparatus
After all the necessary data were obtained, the apparatus were cleaned and returned all
the borrowed materials and apparatus in the laboratory.

V. DIAGRAM (See the attached drawing)

VI. DATA AND RESULTS:

Volatile
Compoun 0 30 60 90 120
d
Weight
Ammonia (Substance + 37.0239 36.8936 36.8138 36.7640 36.7280
Test tube) (g)
Soln Temperature
(0C)
29℃ 29℃ 29℃ 29℃ 29℃
Weight
(Substance + 38.5831 38.5798 38.5774 38.5754 38.5742
HCl Test tube)
Temperature 29℃ 29℃ 29℃ 29℃ 29℃
(0C)
Weight
(Substance + 29.7186 29.7060 29.6973 29.6384 29.6803
Methanol Test tube)
Temperature 29℃ 29℃ 29℃ 29℃ 29℃
(0C)
 Table 1. Data and Results

VII. COMPUTATIONSOBSERVATION AND DISCUSSION OF RESULTS:

A. Observations

B. Discussion of RESULTS

VIII. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS:

IX. APPLICATIONS:

X. DOCUMENTATION:

XI. REFERENCES: