The viscosity ("thickness" as in honey vs. water, y measured in mPa·s) of ether is recorded in the CRC Handbook as a function of temperature (x, absolute temperature measured in [K]elvin). I assume accuracy of the tabulated viscosity is 1%. Many thermodynamic properties follow an Arrhenius relationship:

Y = Y exp(-E/(kT))

where E is the excitation energy, k is Boltzmann's constant, and T is the absolute temperature.

  1. Fit this data to an Arrhenius relationship:

    y = A exp(B/x)

  2. Consider the scientific claim of an Arrhenius relationship. Does this evidence (data) confirm or contradict this claim? Support your answer quantitatively.
  3. Properly report (sigfigs, error, units) the A and B parameters of the best-fit function.
  4. Connecting the fit equation to Arrhenius's theory requires:

    B = -E/k

    Boltzmann's constant, k, has the value: 1.3807 × 10-23 J/K. Use a spreadsheet to calculate the excitation energy from B, and properly report (sigfigs, error, units) the value.

  5. Self-document the spreadsheet and turn in a hardcopy of the page.
  6. Make a hardcopy plot of the data with best-fit curve. Make an additional hardcopy plot with scales chosen so as to linearize the curve.

X
(K)
Y
(mPa·s)
173 1.69
193 0.958
213 0.637
233 0.461
253 0.362
273 0.284
293 0.233
313 0.197
333 0.166
353 0.140
373 0.118