CHM 2045L
Physical Properties
Purpose: To observe and record some common physical properties.
Background: Physical properties can tell us a lot about an unknown chemical. In this
experiment you will look at three physical properties: density, solubility and boiling
point.
The density of a substance is the ratio of the mass of the substance to its given
volume. The density of both solid and liquid is given in units of g/mL. To determine the
density of any substance it is necessary to find both the mass and the volume of a given
sample. The formula for density is given below.
Density = mass / volume or d = m/v
Solubility is a measure of how well one substance dissolves in another substance.
The general rule of solubility is “like will dissolve like” which means polar substances
tend to dissolve in polar substance and non-polar substance tend to dissolve in non-polar
substances.
The boiling point of a substance is the temperature at which the liquid substance
changes to vapor. The normal boiling point of a liquid is determined at 1 atm of pressure.
Materials:
Apparatus:
10 mL graduated cylinder
Six small test tubes
Test tube rack
250 mL beaker
Bunsen Burner
Utility and Thermometer clamps
Two 15 x 150 mm test tubes
Two capillary tubes
Ring stand
Stirring rod
Rubber Bands
Chemicals:
D.I. water
Salt solution
Sodium chloride
Calcium carbonate
Unknown solid
Ethanol
Soybean oil
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