Data collection and processing
Quantitative data in table with units and uncertainties | Mass of Magnesium(Mg) (g) | Volume of Hydrogen (H₂) (cm³) | 1st trial | 0.040 | 39.9 | 2nd trial | 0.040 | 40.3 | 3rd trial | 0.035 | 36.5 |
Quantitative data:
The Magnesium was silvery-white, lustrous and relatively flexible before being placed in the burette. Whilst reacting with the hydrochloric acid, it dissolved and bubbles were visible. The hydrochloric acid slowly diffused downwards.
Calculations:
Volume of un-diffused hydrochloric acid = 25 cm³
Average mass of magnesium = 0.038 g
Average volume of diffused hydrochloric acid = 11.1 cm³
Average volume of …show more content…
The average volume of hydrogen produced was found to be 38.9 cm³. This was calculated by finding the difference of the un-diffused hydrochloric acid plus water from the diffused hydrochloric acid (50 cm³ -11.1 cm³). This result is in disagreement to the original equation and thus it is clear that a lot of errors were present during the experiment as the result did not come to 24, but rather 38.9 cm³.
Weaknesses and limitations * The magnesium strips were all not the same weight and thus this would mean either more or less reaction, meaning more or less hydrogen gas produced. * The balances had a systematic error of ± 0.05 g and thus this will have introduced errors in the mass measurements. * Loss of some of the hydrochloric acid due to spillage, or some may have been left off in the measuring cylinder. * Since magnesium was the limiting reagent, it is uncertain of whether or not it had all reacted in the experiment. Bubbles also made it difficult to get the most accurate