We did a lab separating out the components of a mixture. One of the lab questions is "The weight of naphthalene was obtained by weighing the collected solid. Was this an accurate weight of the naphthalene present in the original sample?" I don't know how to answer this.
How did you separate the mixture? If you dissolved the naphthalene in a solvent, then evaporated the solvent, what was the solubility of the product in the solvent?
We heated the mixture in a beaker & put a glass dish with ice on top
To determine if the weight of naphthalene obtained by weighing the collected solid is an accurate representation of the naphthalene present in the original sample, you can follow these steps:
1. First, calculate the percentage of naphthalene in the original mixture. This can be done using the formula:
Percentage of naphthalene = (Weight of naphthalene / Weight of original mixture) x 100
2. Next, compare the calculated percentage of naphthalene with the expected percentage. The expected percentage can typically be found in the lab instructions or by referring to a known composition of the mixture.
3. If the calculated percentage is close to the expected percentage (within an acceptable range of experimental error), it suggests that the weight of naphthalene obtained is accurate. However, if there is a significant difference between the calculated and expected percentages, it indicates a potential error in the measurement or separation process.
4. You should also consider other sources of error that might have affected the accuracy of the weight measurement, such as experimental techniques, equipment limitations, or impurities in the collected solid.
By following these steps, you can evaluate the accuracy of the weight of naphthalene obtained and provide an informed answer to the lab question.