Answer to Question #295440 in General Chemistry for Zachary Rigby

Question

A 10.00 mL sample of ethanol is added to 250.0 mL of water in order to observe the freezing point depression of the water. Consider the possible errors in this experiment, and determine whether each would cause the freezing point of the water to increase, decrease, or remain the same compared with the expected results

Answer 1

Ethanol used may not be 100% pure.

Since the volume will be less than

expected, the freezing point depression will lower than expected.

If the 10 ml measured is not immediately added to water, it will evaporate, therefore the freezing point will be lower than expected.

If some water is splashed out of container before adding ethanol, the concentration of ethanol will be higher,increasing the expected value.

If the experiment is started on varying temperature this will not have effect on freezing point.

If during measuring of temperature some of the mixture spill off,this will not affect the expected result.