Melting point

Melting point

• 1.
  determination of meltingpoint of liquid organic compound melting point The temperature at which a solid, given sufficient heat, becomes a liquid. For a given substance, the melting point of its solid form is the same as the freezing point of its liquid form, and depends on such factors as the purity of the substance and the surrounding pressure. The melting point of ice at a pressure of one atmosphere is 0°C (32°F); that of iron is 1,535°C (2,795°F). Equipment / Materials: Mel - Temp apparatus capillary tubes Thermometer solid organic compounds mortar and pestle (optional) dropping tubes Safety: Always wear safety glasses in the lab. The parts on the top of the Mel - temp are HOT while it is turned on. Do not touch these parts or place your eye on the eyepiece, you will get burned!!! Capillary tubes break very easily, handle them with caution.
• 2.
  Factors that determinemelting point: 1. (size of molecule) Larger molecules have higher melting points Molecular size affects the melting point. When other factors, such as polarity, are equal, smaller molecules melt at lower temperature than do larger molecules. For example, ethyl alcohol liquefies at cryogenic temperatures, while the large cellulose molecule remains solid at temperatures well above the boiling point of water. Diamond also has a high melting point because many carbon atoms unite together to form one large molecule. However, in the case of ionic compounds, those with smaller ions have a higher melting point than that of compounds with larger ions because smaller ions can get closer together and form more stable bonds. 2.(shape of molecule) More symmetrical compounds will have highermelting points. (solid arrangement more orderly) Molecular shape influences the melting point of a substance. If the shape of the molecules allows them to be packed together in a compact fashion, the substance has a higher melting point than does a similar compound with oddly shaped molecules that do not pack well. For this reason, symmetrical molecules give neopentane a higher melting point than that of isopentane, the molecules of which do not pack well, according to the University of Iowa. 3.Melting Point Variations Other factors can alter the melting point of a given substance. If a solute, such as salt, is added to water, the solution freezes at a lower temperature. Pressure also affects the melting point. It raises the melting point of most substances, but lowers the melting point of water
• 3.
  Purpose a) Determine thepurity of a substance using melting point as physical property b) Identify an unknown compound using its melting point c) Identify an unknown compound using mixture melting point d) Learn how to obtain an accurate melting point using a Mel-Temp apparatus