Determination of Molar Mass by Freezing Point Depression

[EriksJanie]

So, why can't we use the lterature value of cyclohexane?

[drbodwin]

@EriksJanie You probably could, but there are a couple reasons we don't: 1) making sure the setup is working with pure solvent isn't a bad idea, better to work out the kinks with only solvent; 2) the lit value may not always be what you observe with every sample of cyclohexane and every temperature probe; 3) how do you know it's cyclohexane? Yes, we try to prep the labs correctly, but sometimes the wrong reagent is put out so testing it doesn't hurt.