1. Sample Preparation

1. Take a special glass capillary that fits the melting point apparatus in use.
2. Dip the open end of the capillary into a sample of benzoic acid
3. Gently tap the glass capillary on a hard surface, like a table, so that the benzoic acid moves down to the very bottom of the glass capillary

2. Measuring the Melting Point

1. Insert the glass capillary into the melting point apparatus.
2. Heat the apparatus with a rate of 10 °C/min until is close to the expected melting point.
3. Decrease the rate than to 1 °C/min and observe the sample closely.
4. Record the temperature when the sample starts to melt and when it is completely molten.