During gas diffusion, mass transfer occurs whereby the interest molecules (in this case is

ethanol) will flow from a region of higher concentration to a region with a low concentration.
The diffusivity of vapor was studied. At first, we let the instrument to be on our desired
temperature which is at 40 degree celcius. Time was started and data recorded for every 10
minutes interval. Diffusivity of the ethanol that is volatile liquid into the air was studied by
injecting in about 40mm of liquid ethanol into the T tube that is confined in a constatnt
temperature of water bath. This method also known as Winklemanns method.
Theoritically, ethanol have a boiling temperature of 78.37 oC, therefore it is proper to
have a temperature of 40 degree celcius which is way lower than its boiling point so that the
ethanol in the capillary tube will not be vaporized. Based on the observation and the results
obtained, after the interval of 360 minutes, there is a significant movement of the liquid ethanol.
Where liquid level had moved for a distance of 0.5mm. Based on the data obtained, the graph of
time versus distance was plotted. The slope is used to get the gradient, which value will be used
in determining the diffusivity of the ethanol. The value of diffusivity gain is 3.9769x10-5 m2/s.
Theoritically, if we increase the temperature diffusivity will increase. However, as we
were only instructed to perform the experiment one times, we cannot have a valid comparison to
study the effect of variation of temperature to the diffusivity of the ethanol in air.
Few precaution had been taken when performing the experiment, the first one is there is
only one person that in charged for taking the results of the reading for every interval. This is to
decrease the effect of random error as different people will have a different judgment when
taking a reading. Besides before each reading, the meniscus was ensured to be located on the
horizontal line of the microscope so that the reading is not triggered. The diffusivity is too slow,
therefore it was hard to record the difference of reading. Besides that, it is advised to cleaned al
the apparatus before use. Before confining the ethanol into the tube, it was ensured that there in
no bubble formed in the capillary tube. Ensure that throughout the experiment, the bubble switch
is turned on as our case we forgot to switch on the pump for the first reading.
Recommendation
For the experiment that was carried out, there a few flaw that can be reduce. Some
recommendation is necessary if we want to get a better reults. One of the thing that might help us
for the successfulness of the experiment is by duplicating a same experiment but with a different
value of temperature. By replicating the test, it will help us to have a better understanding of the
effect of various temperature of the diffusivity of the ethanol in gaseous. As there is time
limitation, we only managed to perform one test. By comparing the results of the two
experiments, we can see the difference and discuss more about the effect of the variable on the
diffusivity.

Besides that, the microscope suppoly to be installed tightly and steady as this will help to
prevent it from moving when vernier scale was adjusted to the height of the ethanol in the
capillary tube. The scale also need to be ensure to be parallel to the capillary tube. Besides that it
is crucial for us to ensure that there is no air bubble inside the capillary tube so that it will be
easier for us to take the reading and it would be easier for us to inject the solution of ethanol
inside the capillary tube.