Data Collection:
Substance 1: Water
- Small Amount: ½ cup (approximately 120 mL)
- Large Amount: 1 cup (approximately 240 mL)
- Boiling Point of Substance: 100°C
Substance 2: Ethanol
- Small Amount: ½ cup (approximately 120 mL)
- Large Amount: 1 cup (approximately 240 mL)
- Boiling Point of Substance: 78.37°C
Substance 3: Vegetable Oil
- Small Amount: ½ cup (approximately 120 mL)
- Large Amount: 1 cup (approximately 240 mL)
- Boiling Point of Substance: Approximately 200°C
Comprehensive Data Table
| Name of Substance | Small Amount (mL) | Large Amount (mL) | Boiling Point (°C) | |-------------------|--------------------|-------------------|---------------------| | Water | 120 | 240 | 100 | | Ethanol | 120 | 240 | 78.37 | | Vegetable Oil | 120 | 240 | 200 |
Conclusion
The purpose of this lab was to investigate the boiling points of different substances and explore how their volume affects the boiling process. Throughout the experiment, I learned that distinct substances exhibit varying boiling points due to their unique chemical properties. For instance, water reached its boiling point at 100°C, while ethanol boiled at a significantly lower temperature of 78.37°C. Vegetable oil had the highest boiling point among the substances tested, reaching approximately 200°C.
A notable pattern observed was that polar substances, such as water and ethanol, have lower boiling points than non-polar substances like vegetable oil. This discrepancy can be attributed to the differences in intermolecular forces, where hydrogen bonding in water and ethanol results in lower boiling points compared to the van der Waals forces present in vegetable oil.
In terms of uncertainty in experimental measurements, factors such as the precision of the thermometer, the heat distribution during boiling, and possible heat loss to the environment can introduce variations in temperature readings. Ensuring that the measurements are consistently taken at the same point and under controlled conditions can help mitigate some of these uncertainties. Additionally, using a more precise thermometer with smaller increments might yield more accurate boiling point measurements for future experiments.