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Alka-Seltzer Ideal Gas Law Lab Report

This lab report details an experiment using alka-seltzer tablets, a balloon, flask of water, and the ideal gas law to determine the molar mass of carbon dioxide. Key measurements of the balloon's circumference, masses, temperature, and pressure are taken. Using the ideal gas law formula with these values yields 0.029 moles of carbon dioxide. However, the calculated molar mass of 20 g/mol is approximately half the actual molar mass, indicating a 54.56% percent error possibly due to instrumental errors in measurements or leaks during the procedure.

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Alley Fitzgerald
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576 views3 pages

Alka-Seltzer Ideal Gas Law Lab Report

This lab report details an experiment using alka-seltzer tablets, a balloon, flask of water, and the ideal gas law to determine the molar mass of carbon dioxide. Key measurements of the balloon's circumference, masses, temperature, and pressure are taken. Using the ideal gas law formula with these values yields 0.029 moles of carbon dioxide. However, the calculated molar mass of 20 g/mol is approximately half the actual molar mass, indicating a 54.56% percent error possibly due to instrumental errors in measurements or leaks during the procedure.

Uploaded by

Alley Fitzgerald
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

ALKA-SELTZER AND THE IDEAL GAS LAW LAB REPORT

PURPOSE
To determine the molar mass of carbon dioxide using alka-seltzer and the ideal gas law.

SAFETY
Wear goggles, aprons and gloves.

PRE-LAB QUESTIONS
1. There are several ideal gas law constants because the type of pressure determines which
constant to use.
2. Pressure, volume, moles (n), and temperature are the variables in the ideal gas law.
3. Mass, volume, temperature, and pressure measurements need to be made in order to
determine the molar mass of carbon dioxide.

PROCEDURE
1. Fill a flask to the brim with water.
2. Blow up a balloon and release the air from it.
3. Crush three Alka-Seltzer tablets and pour them into the balloon.
4. Attach the balloon to the flask using electrical tape so that it’s hanging over the side.
5. Place the balloon upright and invert the flask until the bubbling stops.
6. Push the balloon into a sphere shape and record the circumference.
7. Record the mass.
8. Flatten a small section of the top of the balloon and make a small cut, releasing the gas
slowly.
9. Record the mass, room temperature, and atmospheric pressure.
10. Record the water vapor pressure at the current room temperature.
DATA AND OBSERVATION

DATA MEASUREMENT

Circumference of balloon 35 cm

Mass of balloon and flask with CO2 229.7 g

Mass of leaked balloon and flask 229 g

Room temperature 22.4 ℃ (295.4 K)

Atmospheric pressure 0.9920 atm

Water vapor pressure 0.026101 atm

CALCULATIONS
1. .9920 - 0.026101= .965899 atm
2. 229.7 - 229 = .7 grams
3. 35/2/π = 5.570 cm
4. (5.5703 x π) (4/3) = 724.024 cm3
5. 724.024/ 1000 = .72 liters
6. (.9659 atm )(.72 liters) = n (0.08206 L atm/ mol K)(295.4 K) = .029 moles
7. .7/.029 = 20 g/mol CO2
8. 12.01 + 32 = 44.01 g/mol CO2
44.01-20/44.01 x 100 = 54.56%

POST LAB QUESTIONS


1. Possible explanations for error during the experiment include the leaking of liquid from the
balloon, instrumental error, or an irregularly shaped sphere, which would result in
measurement errors.
2. Since carbon dioxide is soluble in water, the molar mass might decrease from the absorption
of water; the molar mass might also be affected from the carbon dioxide gas not being
completely released.
3. (3.5)(v) = .029 (.08206 L atm/ mol K)(253 K) = .17 L
CONCLUSION
To calculate the molar mass of carbon dioxide, crushed Alka-Seltzer tablets are placed in a
balloon, mixed with water in a flask, and then the gaseous product is slowly released through a
slit in the top of the balloon; certain mass, circumference, and pressure measurements are
determined throughout the experiment. In the ideal gas law formula, the pressure is .9659 atm,
the volume is .72 liters, and the temperature is 295.4 K, which results in .029 moles. The percent
error is 54.56% because our calculated molar mass for carbon dioxide is 20 g/mol, approximately
half of the actual molar mass of CO2. Possible explanations for this error include instrumental
error, such as a calculation mistake or human error, such as spilled liquid during the process of
cutting the top off of the balloon. The ideal gas law, a formula currently being studied in class, is
used to determine the molar mass of carbon dioxide.

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