Chemistry I
Lab 10-2
Ice Cream Lab
Background Information
Colligative properties depend on the number of particles dissolved in a given mass of
solvent. Three colligative properties are vapor-pressure lowering, boiling-point elevation, and
freezing-point depression. This lab will focus on freezing-point depression. The freezing point is
the temperature at which there is an equilibrium between the solid and liquid phases of a
substance. The temperature when this occurs is specific for different substances. The freezingpoint depression is the difference in temperature between the freezing point of a solution and that
of the pure solvent. The presence of a solute in water disrupts the formation of the solid ice
crystals. You will use freezing-point depression to make ice cream.
Procedure
1. Each person will make a baggie (snack size, Ziploc brand) of ice cream, BUT you will put 2
baggies in one big bag (gallon size freezer bags work best, any brand). Measure out ½ cup
milk, 1 tablespoon sugar, and ¼ teaspoon vanilla into a small bag and zip it (make sure it is
sealed well).
2. Take the large bag and fill it with 5 cups of ice cubes. Add 5 spoonfuls of rock salt.
3. Place the 4 or 5 small bags in the large bag. Seal the large bag. Make sure the small bags are
still zipped, otherwise salt water will get mixed with your ice cream. Yuck!
4. Shake for about 10-15 minutes or until the ice cream inside begins to harden. Continue to
keep the ice covering the small bag. IF YOUR SALT/WATER BAG BEGINS TO LEAK
HOLD IT OVER THE SINK. IF YOUR SALT/WATER BAG LEAKS, THEN THROW IT
AWAY AT THE END OF THE HOUR. SAVE SALT/WATER BAGS THAT DO NOT
LEAK!!
5. Open the large bag. Take the temperature of the ice/salt solution. Record the temperature.
6. Remove the small bags and rinse them off. Enjoy your ice cream!!!!
7. Save the large bag and spoons. Throw away the small bag.
Chemistry I
Lab 10-2
Ice Cream Lab
Name
Period
Pre-Lab Questions:
1. What is a colligative property (the definition)?
2. List three colligative properties.
3. What will happen if you do not seal the inner bag properly?
4. What do you predict will happen to the freezing point of water (ice) after you put salt
with it? Explain your prediction.
Lab 10-2
Ice Cream Lab
Name
Period
Pre-Lab Questions:
1.
What is a colligative property (the definition)?
2.
List three colligative properties.
3.
What will happen if you do not seal the inner bag properly?
4.
What do you predict will happen to the freezing point of water (ice) after you put
salt with it? Explain your prediction.
Chemistry I
Data Table
temperature of ice/salt mixture
Data Analysis
1. a. At what temperature does water normally freeze?
b. What was the temperature of the ice salt mixture?
2. Draw a diagram that shows the energy exchange between the contents of the small bag (milk,
sugar,etc) and the contents of the big bag (ice and rock salt).
3. Explain what has happened in the big bag in terms of particles. What does the sodium
chloride do? Why is there a difference in the temperatures in #1?
4. Provide another example of when people use freezing-point depression in real-life.
Data Table
temperature of ice/salt mixture
Data Analysis
1. a. At what temperature does water normally freeze?
b. What was the temperature of the ice salt mixture?
2. Draw a diagram that shows the energy exchange between the contents of the small bag
(milk, sugar,etc) and the contents of the big bag (ice and rock salt).
3. Explain what has happened in the big bag in terms of particles. What does the sodium
chloride do? Why is there a difference in the temperatures in #1?
4. Provide another example of when people use freezing-point depression in real-life.