Methodology

The boiling point of an element or a substance is the temperature at which

the vapour pressure of the liquid equals the environmental pressure surrounding the
liquid.  The boiling point of liquids varies with and depends upon the surrounding
environmental pressure (which tends to vary with elevation). Different liquids (at a
given pressure) boil at different temperatures. In the first part of this experiment, we
are asked to determine the boiling point of water which will become constant after a
period of time.
The second part of the experiment is to calculate the heat fusion of water. The
change is exothermic (the process releases energy) where processes like melting of
ice is involved while conducting this experiment.

Experimental Procedure

A heating Curve for Water

1. 100 ml of cool distill water is measured and poured into a 250ml beaker an is
placed on a hot plate as shown in illustration A.
2. The thermometer is placed securely in a clamp and is adjusted so that the
bulb is in the centre portion of the liquid. (Do not let the thermometer to rest
on the side or bottom of the beaker.)
3. The initial temperature is measured and recorded. The temperature of the
water at 1-minute intervals is recorded by using a timer. The water will come
to a full boil eventually. The temperature of water has become constant when
the water is boiling. The boiling temperature is recorded for another 4-5
minutes.

Energy in Changes of State

1. An empty Styrofoam is weighed.

2. 100ml of distilled water is added to the cup and the cup is reweighed.
3. The initial temperature of water in the calorimeter is recorded as shown in
illustration B.
4. 2 or 3 ice cubes is added (or crushed ice that fills a 100ml beaker) to the
water in the cup. The solution is strongly stirred.
5. The temperature of the ice water is checked. Ice is added until the
temperature drops to 2-3°C. If some ice is not melted, the ice is removed
immediately. The final temperature of the water is recorded.
6. The Styrofoam cup (calorimetry) cup with the initial sample of water and the
melted ice is weighed. The increase in mass indicates the amount of ice that
melted.