Lab 2C: Melting & Freezing Points of Pure Substances (by Bev)

In the experiment, liquid dodecanoic acid (C₁₂H₃₄O₂) was cooled in cold tap water until it reached a temperature of 25 degrees Celsius, and observations and temperature readings were taken every 30 seconds.  The same process was used for the heating process, except the solid dodecanoic acid was placed in 55 degrees Celsius water.  The purpose of the lab was to find the melting and freezing point of this substance (40 degrees Celsius) by graphing the results and finding the intersection between the heating and cooling processes.  It was also discovered that melting point and freezing point are the same and interchangeable terms.