1 CHEM 121 LABORATORY EXPERIMENT DATE: NAME

PART I: BOYLE’S LAW

PART II: QUANTITIES IN CHEMICAL REACTIONS:
DECOMPOSITION OF HYDROGEN PEROXIDE. IDEAL GAS LAW.
(Part II is a modification of experiment written by Joe Eridon and published in Central New
Mexico Community College (CNM) Laboratory Manual for Introduction to Chemistry Lab
(CHEM 1492)

OBJECTIVES
PART I. BOYLE’S LAW.

1. To practice measurements and calculations related to Boyle’s law.

PART II. DECOMPOSITION OF HYDROGEN PEROXIDE.

2. To practice calculations related to quantities in chemical reactions with a gas product.

3. To practice calculations using the ideal gas law.
4. To determine percent concentration of hydrogen peroxide in a commercial solution.

INTRODUCTION AND PROCEDURE

PART I. BOYLE’S LAW.

Boyle’s law states that at constant temperature, the volume (V) occupied by a fixed
amount of gas is nversely proportional to the applied (external) pressure (P).

This means that PV = constant and P= constant

V

It also means that a plot of 1/V vs. P is a straight line whose slope is constant
characteristic of any gas.

We will measure simultaneously pressure and volume of air contained in a syringe using
Pasco instrumentation and “Data Studio” program. The equipment includes a syringe with
a plunger and a pressure sensor connected through an interface to a computer. By
moving a plunger we can change the volume of air in the syringe. We start with 20. mL
volume as we connect the syringe to the pressure sensor. Since connecting tubing has a 1
mL volume, the plunger should be set at a 19 mL position (similarly, when we measure 18
mL the plunger is set on 17 mL, etc.). By pushing the plunger we will measure pressure at
20 mL, 18 mL, 16 mL, 14 mL, 12 mL, and 10 mL. The pressure is recorded when we click
on the “keep” button. Computer creates a plot of 1/V vs. P. The default setup places
pressure on the X axis and 1/V on Y axis. Since we control volume, this is our independent
variable and should be on the X axis. We will switch the position of the variables to:

1/V, independent variable, on the X axis (horizontal)

P, dependent variable, on the Y axis (vertical)

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The instructor will demonstrate how to do the switch as well as explain the other details of
the procedure.
Print both the data table and the graphs and attach them to your lab report.

PART II.

A household hydrogen peroxide is a solution of H2O2. On contact with a tissue it readily

decomposes producing oxygen, O2, gas as shown in the following equation:
2 H2O2(aq) –> 2 H2O(l) + O2(g)
A rapid decomposition of hydrogen peroxide is caused by enzyme catalase present in
tissue. The released oxygen has disinfecting properties and, therefore, a hydrogen
peroxide solution is used as an disinfectant.
We will look at a quantitative aspect of this reaction. The amount of produced oxygen gas
is proportional to the amount of hydrogen peroxide in the aqueous solution. Therefore, if
we determine the oxygen amount, we can calculate the percent by mass concentration of
hydrogen peroxide in the solution.

We will add a homogenized animal liver to a measured amount of hydrogen peroxide

solution to initiate the decomposition. The produced oxygen will be collected in a
graduated cylinder so the volume of the gas can be measured. The graduated cylinder
will be filled with water, turned upside down, and immersed in water. Oxygen will replace
water in the cylinder. The instructor will demonstrate the details of the procedure. Using
the ideal gas law, we will calculate the mole amount of oxygen based on its volume and
ambient temperature and pressure. This, in turn will enable us to calculate the percent by
mass concentration of hydrogen peroxide in the solution.

The pathway for the calculations is:

mL O2 –> L O2 –> mol O2 (using n = PV/(RT) –>

–> mol H2O2 (using conversion factor from the equation) –> g H2O2 –> % H2O2 in a sample

The following is the example of calculations that will be used in today’s lab.

PROBLEM 1: A 5.20 g sample of hydrogen peroxide solution was decomposed with

catalase. 69.0 mL of oxygen, O2, was collected. The atmospheric pressure = 0.910 atm
and temperature = 23.5 degree Celsius. Calculate the percent by mass of hydrogen
peroxide, H2O2, in the sample.

SOLUTION:

Step 1, unit conversion.

69.0 mL = 0.0690 L
K = 23.5 degree C + 273.15 = 296.7 K

Step 2, calculate moles of oxygen using ideal gas law: PV = nRT

n = PV
RT

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However, the gas is collected above the water. Therefore, we have to apply the Dalton’s
law of partial pressures and subtract water vapor pressure from the total pressure before
performing calculations. Water vapor pressure at 23.5 degree Celsius = 22.4 torr = 0.029
atm
Therefore partial pressure of oxygen = 0.910 atm - 0.029 atm = 0.881 atm

n O2 = mol O2 = PV/(RT) = 0.881 atm x 0.0690 L/(0.0821 L atm/(mol K) x 296.7 K)

=
= 0.00250 mol
O2

Step 3, calculate grams of H2O2

0.00250 mol O2 2 mol H2O2 34.02 g H2O2 0.170 g H2O2
1 mol O2 1 mol H2O2

Step 4, calculate the percent by mass of H2O2 in the sample

0.170 g H2O2/5.20 g sample x 100 % = 3.27 % H2O2

CHEM 121 LABORATORY REPORT DATE: NAME

PART I. BOYLE’S LAW.

Do not forget to switch P and 1/V on the graph before printing. Check whether the plot is
a straight line. If not, you may need to repeat carefully the experiment. Consult with the
instructor. Write the title for the graphs.

Since we commonly use atm instead of kPa, convert kPa to atm and put the values side by
side with the kPa values on the graph. 1 atm = 101.325 kPa

Finally, using the graph, interpolate what would be the pressure in kPa and in atm if the
volume was 13 mL.

The following figure illustrates the interpolation from a graph. In this example, the dotted
lines shows the interpolation of temperature at which volume would be 15 mL.

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 Draw similar dotted lines on
your graph and write here the
pressure for the volume of 13
mL in:

kPa______________

atm______________

PART II: DECOMPOSITION OF HYDROGEN PEROXIDE.

DATA:
Weight of large test tube with holding beaker (weight of
container):___________________________

Weight of large test tube with holding beaker + H2O2 solution:_______________________

Net weight of H2O2 solution:____________________________

Volume of the collected O2:_________________________

Temperature:_____________________

VOLUME OF AN ENCLOSED GAS AS A FUNCTION OF Atmospheric

TEMPERATURE AT CONSTANT PRESSURE
pressure:____________________

CALCULATIONS:
25
Calculate the % by mass of H2O2 in the
hydrogen peroxide solution. Show all
20 calculations. Follow the example.

15
VOLUME

10
(mL)

0
0 100 200 300 400
TEMPERATURE (°C)

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