Equilibrium Constant Lab Report

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The Determination of an Equilibrium Constant Objectives: The objective of this lab is to find the equilibrium constant of Fe(SCN)2+ through multiple trials using a spectrometer. Since one chemical is colorless and the other is colored a spectrometer can be used to monitor amounts of each in the solution. By completing multiple trials an average can be reached for the value of the equilibrium constant of Fe(SCN)2+. Procedures: To complete this lab several chemicals must be measured and transferred to test tubes. First 5.0 mL of 0.200 M Fe(NO3)3 must be diluted to a total volume of 50 mL in a flask. Next 0.0020 M SCN–. This solution is then added to 4 test tubes in 1 mm increments. Each test tube is then put in to …show more content…

After working through many calculations I came out with an average constant of 280, an accurate measurement. Although my readings caused me to have an accurate final answer, they were not precise. My values for the equilibrium constant varied greatly in some of ten trials, ranging from a low of 260 to a high of 320. Other contributions to the value of the constant would be the accuracy of the measuring devices, the purity of the solution and the accuracy of the best-fit line drawn on the graph. Since one of these solutions is clear and the other is colored their Concentrations can easily be found. The solutions can be simply put into a spectrometer and the absorbance will reveal how much of the colored solution resides in the solution. Your results in part one of the experiment can be used to create a graph with which you can make a best fit line and find values for the absorbencies in part two. This information can then be used to calculate the equilibrium constant in all or ten trials and an average can be taken. It allows the student to view first hand exactly what happens at equilibrium and then put this knowledge to

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