Evaporation and Intermolecular Forces Name ___________________________________

One indicator of intermolecular forces is the evaporation of a liquid. Evaporation is an

endothermic process that results in a temperature decrease. The magnitude of a temperature
decrease is related to the strength of the intermolecular forces of attraction. In this lab you will
use a Vernier temperature probe to determine values of temperature change of evaporating
liquids. From these results general observations will be made recognizing the relationship of
temperature changes and intermolecular bond attraction.

Lab Procedure
A. Complete the Pre-Lab Data Table except temperature change
B. Obtain a Go-Direct temperature probe or a Go-Link Temperature probe.
C. Wrap a small piece of filter paper on the end of a temperature probe and place a
rubber band on it to keep the paper in place.
D. Place the probe into a test tube holding one of the sample chemicals. Wait at least
1 minute so the toweling absorbs enough of the sample.
E. Open Graphical Analysis Plug in the probe to the USB port. Choose Sensor.
Choose USB. Choose Go Link or ______. Open the Data table and Meters in the
top right corner.
F. Remove probe from the liquid and tape each down so that they hang over the edge
of a tabletop. Use masking tape to hold the probe still.
G. Click on collect. Continue collecting data for the designated 180 seconds. Click
on data set 1 and rename it to the name of your sample.
H. Remove and discard the toweling from the probes.
I. Repeat the same procedure for the rest of the samples, replacing new toweling to
the probe with each new chemical.
J. Collect data for
K. Use each graph to determine the change in temperature for each chemical by
clicking on the bottom left graph and view statistics.
L. Complete the given data table.
Pre-Lab Data Table

Intermolecular Change in
Substance Formula Structural Formula Molecular Forces temp (Δt)
Weight

Methanol CH3OH

C2H5OH
Ethanol

C3H7OH
Propanol

C4H9OH
Butanol

C6H14
Hexane

C5H12
Pentane

H2O
Water
Questions and Discussion

A. List the chemicals that have Hydrogen bonds, besides water.

B. List the chemicals that have only London dispersion forces of attraction?

C. Which forces of attraction appear to be “stronger”, London dispersion forces or

Hydrogen bond attractions?

D. Which of the alcohols has the strongest intermolecular forces of attraction? Which has
the higher molecular mass?

E. Which of the alkanes has the strongest intermolecular forces of attraction? Which has
the higher molecular mass?

F. Plot a graph of the molecular mass of the alcohols on the x-axis and the temperature
change on the y-axis. Describe what pattern you recognize.

G. Describe what you see regarding the results of water. Propose an explanation for this
behavior.