Analysis of an Unknown Alcohol Lab Experiment

Analysis:

Utilizing the Lab Pro software, we were able to observe a very accurate real-time change in the freezing point of the T-Butyl alcohol after adding an unknown. This change in freezing point was used to calculate the molality of the unknown, as well as it’s molar mass by using it’s measured weight.

Comparing the molar mass of the unknown to the chart, it was obvious that the unknown was Isopropyl alcohol, which has a molar mass of 60.1 (g/mol), where our experimental results, 58.9 (g/mol), showed a mere 2% error.

The experiment was very accurate, however, there were observable sources of error. Mainly, a period of supercooling in the solution is thought to have accounted for the bulk of error. Other sources of error could be in calibration of equipment or impurities in materials