Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
Safety Note
Be careful when handling the lighter. please review and
follow the safety guidelines at the beginning of this volume.
Procedure
1. Find the mass of a disposable butane lighter to the nearest 0.01
gram (g). Record the mass on the first row of Data Table 1.
2. Fill a large plastic container with room temperature water. Find
the temperature of the water using a thermometer. Record the
temperature on Data Table 1.
3. Remove the plastic base from a 50-ml graduated cylinder so that
you can see the bottom of it. Immerse the graduated cylinder under
the water in the large container, filling it with water. Keeping the
mouth of the graduated cylinder underwater, invert it. Check to make
sure that no air bubbles are trapped in the cylinder.
4. Hold the lighter in one hand and the graduated cylinder in the
other (or have a partner hold the cylinder for you). Lift the cylinder
slightly and place the lighter in the water directly beneath the
graduated cylinder.
5. Carefully release butane from the lighter by pressing the button that
controls the gas valve until the gas fills the cylinder to nearly 45 ml.
Remove the lighter and set the mouth of the graduated cylinder down
on the bottom of the container, inverted, for 2 to 3 minutes (min).
6. Move the graduated cylinder so that the waterline inside the cylinder
is even with the waterline in the plastic container (this ensures that
the pressure is equal to atmospheric pressure) and measure the
exact volume of gas collected in the graduated cylinder. Record this
measurement on Data Table 1.
7. Use a hair dryer to dry the lighter completely (about 3 to 5 min).
Once the water has been dried off, find the mass of the lighter.
Record the mass on the second row of Data Table 1.
8. Take a barometric pressure reading from the barometer and record it
on the data table.
Analysis
1. Calculate the mass of butane used by subtracting the mass of the
lighter after releasing the butane from the initial mass. Record the
mass on Data Table 1.
