Calorimetry

Emmanuel A. Cimafranca

Ruben A. Legaspi Jr.

BS Chemical Engineering 3rd Yr.

Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan
Corrales Avenue, Cagayan de Oro, Philippines

BS Chemical Engineering 3rd Yr.

Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan
Corrales Avenue, Cagayan de Oro, Philippines

Annjanete T. Pagdanganan

Ian Glenn B. Conejar

BS Chemical Engineering 3rd Yr.

Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan
Corrales Avenue, Cagayan de Oro, Philippines

BS Chemical Engineering 3rd Yr.

Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan
Corrales Avenue, Cagayan de Oro, Philippines

Abstract: This experiment aimed to determine the

calorimeter constant for a simple constant-pressure type of
calorimeter, measure temperature changes that take place
in a calorimeter during neutralization reactions and use
the measurement to calculate the enthalpy of reaction and
lastly to compare the enthalpy of neutralization of a strong
acid and the enthalpy of solution of a solid base, and use
these measured values to illustrate the validity of Hess
Law. This experiment was performed into five procedures
namely: A. Heat Capacity of the calorimeter, B. Enthalpy
of a strong acid and a strong base, C. Enthalpy of solution
of a solid strong base, D. Enthalpy of neutralization of a
strong acid and a solid base, and lastly E. Enthalpy of
neutralization of weak acid and a strong base. All
procedures involved recording the temperature within a
given interval and were repeated once. In procedure A, the
experiment involved hot and cold water in two separate
calorimeters. The average heat capacity of the calorimeter
obtained was 95.8 J/C. In procedure B, strong acid and
strong base were experimented in two separate
calorimeters. The average enthalpy of a strong acid and a
strong base achieved was 64.9 kJ/mol. In procedure C,
solution of solid strong base was experimented in the
calorimeter. The average enthalpy of solution of a solid
strong base gained was 65.7 kJ/mol. In procedure D, a
strong acid and a solid base was neutralized in the
calorimeter. The average enthalpy of a strong acid and a
solid base resulted to 95.05 kJ/mol. In the procedure E, a
weak acid and a strong base was neutralized in the
calorimeter. The average enthalpy of a strong acid and a
solid base resulted to 34.3 kJ/mol. Hess law was used to
compare average enthalpy of parts B and C with part D.
Percent error obtained was 38%.
Keywords- Calorimetry,
Temperature, Hess Law

Enthalpy,

Heat

Capacity,

I.

INTRODUCTION

Energy can neither be created nor destroyed, thus

the amount of energy in the universe is constant, this is
according to the First Law of Thermodynamics, and this is the
main principle used in calorimetry. Calorimetry is a technique
for measuring heat transfers using an insulated container
called calorimeter. The insulated container serves as an
experimental universe and the amount of energy inside should
remain constant that is, no heat will be transferred to the
surroundings even if reactions would occur.
The experiment utilizes a simple calorimeter (with a
lid) made from a plastic foam material and a thermometer
which will be used to measure the temperature. The
calorimeter is calibrated by calculating its heat capacity, or the
quantity of heat absorbed by the calorimeter necessary to raise
the temperature of the calorimeter by exactly one K, or in
equation
(eq. 1)
The substance used in determining the heat capacity
of calorimeter is water. The calibrated calorimeter can now be
used to measure the enthalpy of reactions. For this particular
experiment, the enthalpy of neutralization (H n), or the
amount of energy released with the formation of 1 mole of
water, in the following neutralization reactions is calculated:
NaOH(aq) + HCl(aq) NaCl(aq)
and
CH3COOH(aq) + NaOH(aq) CH3COONa(aq)
The final objective of the experiment is validating the
Hess Law or the law that states that The total enthalpy
change during the complete course of a reaction is the same
whether the reaction is made in one step or in several steps.
The enthalpy of the following reactions:
NaOH(aq) + HCl(aq) NaCl(aq)
H2O

NaOH(s) NaOH (aq)

when added together, should be equal to the enthalpy of this
reaction:
NaOH(s) + HCl(aq) NaCl(aq)

II.

EXPERIMENTAL SECTION

A. Heat Capacity of the Calorimeter

The thermometers were calibrated. Water5with room
5temperature
and
water
heated
to
45C
were
experimented in 2 separate calorimeters. Interval of 1 minute
was observed to read and record the temperatures. At the
fourth minute, the warm water was mixed with cold water, the
temperatures were still observed with the same interval until
the seventh minute. The procedure was then repeated.
B. Enthalpy of Neutralization of a Strong Acid and a Strong
Base
HCl and NaOH were placed separately to the
calorimeters. Interval of 30 seconds was maintained to read
the temperature alternately, starting with NaOH, over 5-min
period. NaOH was mixed with HCl, the temperatures were
read and recorded at 1-min interval for 10 min. The procedure
was then repeated.
C. Enthalpy of Solution of a Solid Strong Base
25 mL of distilled water was placed in the
calorimeter. The lowest temperature observed for a minute
became the initial temperature. 1 g NaOH pellets was added to
the water. The highest temperature watched was listed as the
final temperature. The procedure was then repeated.
D. Enthalpy of Neutralization of a Strong Acid and a Solid
Base
28.0 mL of 1.0 M HCl, placed in a 100-mL graduated
cylinder, was added with distilled water until the volume
reached 100 mL. The solution was then placed to the
calorimeter. The temperature was read and recorded. 1 g
NaOH pellets was added to calorimeter. Slight excess of HCl
was present, verified by adding a drop of phenolphthalein to
the solution and had the colorless solution. The highest
temperature watched was recorded as the final temperature.
The procedure was then repeated.
E. Enthalpy of Neutralization of a Weak Acid and a Strong
Base
Same procedure on D was followed, only that acetic
acid was used for HCl.
III.

T = temperature change
Based from the obtained results in every trial the
temperatures of tap water and warm water at each time were
plotted.

Figure 1. The temperatures of tap water at the first trial were

plotted at each time and from the mixing time (4 th minute) to
the 7th minute the graph is extrapolated in order to find the
temperature difference.

Figure 2. The temperatures of warm water at the first trial

were plotted at each time and from the mixing time (4 th
minute) to the 7th minute the graph is extrapolated in order to
find the temperature difference.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

A. Heat Capacity of the Calorimeter

The calorimeter used is made of nested plastic foam
cups, which does not conduct heat well but it does still absorb
some heat. Therefore the calorimeter is first calibrated in order
to find its heat capacity.
The amount of energy released (qp ) into the calorimeter is
defined by the equation:
qp = masscal x cp(cal) xT + masscontents x cp(contents) x T
where:
cp(cal)= specific heat of the calorimeter,
cp(contents) = specific heat of the contents, and

Figure 3. The temperatures of tap water at the second trial

were plotted at each time and from the mixing time (4 th
minute) to the 7th minute the graph is extrapolated in order to
find the temperature difference.

Figure 4. The temperatures of warm water at the second trial

were plotted at each time and from the mixing time (4 th
minute) to the 7th minute the graph is extrapolated in order to
find the temperature difference.
By doing the extrapolation of the graph from the
mixing time equation is obtained. Given an equation y=mx+b
where y is the temperature and x is the time, we can calculate
the temperature difference by the equation y=mx, where y
is the temperature change and x is the change in time
For the first trial:
q=mcT
y=mx, using 4min as initial time and 7 min as the final
time. For tap water, T=5.49 and for warm water T=-6.57
m is obtained by multiplying the volume(which is 25.0 mL) by
the density of water(1.00g/mL). c of water has a value of 4.18
J/gC. Therefore, q for tap water is 574 J, which means heat
about 574 J was gained. The q for warm water is -687 J, which
means heat about 687 J was lost.
So the heat gained by the calorimeter is equal to the
difference of the heat lost (687 J) by the warm water and the
heat gained(574 J) by the tap water and is equal to 113 J. The
heat capacity will then be calculated by dividing the heat
gained by the calorimeter with the change in temperature of
the tap water and its value in this trial is 20.6 J/C.
For the second trial, the same method was used. The
T for tap water and warm water were 1.98 and
-5.22
respectively. The q for tap water is 207 J and the q for warm
water is --545 J. The heat gained by the calorimeter this time
is 338 J and its heat capacity is 171 J/C
Then, the average of the two heat capacities is calculated
and is equal to 95.8 J/C. The complete solution can be found
in the appendix.
B. Enthalpy of Neutralization of a Strong Acid and a
Strong Base
In this part HCl is used as the strong acid and NaOH is
the strong base. The reaction is:
HCl(aq) + NaOH(aq)
NaCl(aq) + H2O(aq)
(1)
The density of the final mixture used was 1.02g/ml as and 4.02
J/gC as its specific heat. To find the T, the temperatures of
each substance at each time were plotted and the initial and
final temperatures were extrapolated.

Figure 5. Trial 1 Temperatures of NaOH at each time. The

temperature rise is due to the mixing of NaOH and HCl.

Figure 6. Trial 1 Temperatures of HCl at each time. The

temperature rise is due to the mixing of NaOH and HCl.

Figure 7. Trial 2 Temperatures of NaOH at each time. The

temperature rise is due to the mixing of NaOH and HCl.

Figure 8. Trial 2 Temperatures of HCl at each time. The

temperature rise is due to the mixing of NaOH and HCl.
For trial 1 the calculated result for the heat gained in
the mixture is 1.17 kJ and the heat gained by the calorimeter is
546 J. So the total heat produced is 1.72 kJ. The enthalpy of
neutralization will then be calculated by dividing the total heat
produced by the number of HCl moles neutralized (this will be
obtained by multiplying the volume of HCl (in L) used by its
molarity), it will give a value of 68.4 kJ/mol. Doing the same

method for trial 2 will gives us the enthalpy of neutralization a

value of 61.4 kJ/mol. The average result is 64.9 kJ/mol. The
complete solution can be found in the appendix.
C. Enthalpy of Solution of A Solid Strong Base
The mass of the solution used is 26g and 3.93 J/gC
is the specific heat.
TRIAL 1
TRIAL 2
Mass
1.0g
Mass
1.0g
T (initial)
30.0C
T (initial)
31.2C
T (final)
38.5C
T (final)
39.3C
Table 1. Trial results for the enthalpy of solution of a strong
base.

Figure 9. Trial 1 Temperatures of NaOH at each time. The

temperature rise is due to the mixing of NaOH and
CH3COOH.

Following the formula for solving the heat gained,

the heat gained by the solution and the calorimeter in trial 1
are 869 J and 814 J respectively. The enthalpy is calculated by
dividing the total heat by the number of NaOH moles used(can
be obtained by dividing the mass by the molar mass of NaOH)
therefore is 67.3 kJ. Doing the same method for trial 2 gives
us the value of 64.1 kJ/mol. The average result is 65.7 kJ/mol.
The complete solution can be found in the appendix.
D. Enthalpy of Neutralization of a Strong Acid and a
Solid Base
TRIAL 1

TRIAL 2

T (initial)

30.0C

30.0C

Added Mass

0.97g

Added Mass

0.99g

T (final)

35.1C

T (final)

35.2C

Figure 10. Trial 1 Temperatures of CH3COOH at each time.

The temperature rise is due to the mixing of NaOH and
CH3COOH.

Table 2. Trial results for the Neutralization of a Strong Acid

and a Solid Base
In this part HCl is used as the strong acid and NaOH
is the solid base. The reaction is:
HCl(aq) + NaOH(s)
NaCl(aq) + H2O(l)
(2)
The density of the final mixture used was 1.02g/ml as and 4.02
J/gC as its specific heat.
Following the formula for solving the heat gained,
the heat gained by the solution and the calorimeter in trial 1
are 2.60 kJ and 2.15 kJ respectively. The enthalpy is calculated
by dividing the total heat by the number of HCl moles used
(can be obtained by dividing the mass by the molar mass of
HCl) therefore is 92.9 kJ/mol. Doing the same method for trial
2 gives us the value of 76.9 kJ/mol. The average result is 84.9
kJ/mol. The complete solution can be found in the appendix.
E. Enthalpy of Neutralization of a Weak Acid and a
Strong Base

Figure 11. Trial 2 Temperatures of NaOH at each time. The

temperature rise is due to the mixing of NaOH and
CH3COOH.

REFERENCES
[1] P. Atkins & J. Paula. Physical Chemistry. 9th ed. Great
Britain: Oxford University Press. 2010. 71-156.
www.whfreeman.com. 7/11/14
[2] web.mst.edu/~tbone/subjects/tbone/heat.ppt.7/11/14.
[3] http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/thermalP/Lesson2/Measuring-the-Quantity-of-Heat.7/12/14.
[4] http://www.chem1.com/acad/webtext/energetics/CE4.html. 7/12/14.
Figure 12. Trial 2 Temperatures of CH3COOH at each time.
The temperature rise is due to the mixing of NaOH and
CH3COOH.
In this part CH3COOH is used as the weak acid and
NaOH is the strong base. The reaction is:
NaOH(aq) + CH3COOH(aq)
CH3COONa + H2O (3)
The density of the final mixture used was 1.02g/ml as
and 4.02 J/gC as its specific heat. Following the formula for
solving the heat gained, the heat gained by the solution and the
calorimeter in trial 1 are 0.349 kJ and 0.163 kJ respectively.
The enthalpy is calculated by dividing the total heat by the
number of CH3COOH moles used (can be obtained by
dividing the mass by the molar mass of CH3COOH) therefore
is 20.5 kJ/mol. Doing the same method for trial 2 gives us the
value of 48.1kJ/mol. The average result is 34.3 kJ/mol. The
complete solution can be found in the appendix.
F.

APPENDICES
A. Sample Calculations
i.

Heat Capacity of the Calorimeter

Heat Gained by Tap Water = mass of tap water

specific heat of water change in temperature

Heat Lost by Warm Water = mass of warm water

specific heat of water change in temperature

Hess Law

The sum of average enthalpies measured in part B

and C was 131 kJ/mol while the average enthalpy measured in
part D is 95 kJ/mol. Percent error obtained was 38%. The
complete solution can be found in the appendix.
IV.

ERROR ANALYSIS

In this experiment, there is a factor that contributes

error in the process namely the parallax error. It is
significant to avoid or reduce this error especially that this
experiment deals with temperature reading which an
important data that must be observe and obtain. In addition,
it must also apply in putting liquid substances in the
graduated cylinder like in procedure D that it should only
have the right amount needed if not it will be time
consuming for repeating the procedure because the
expected result was not met.
V.

CONCLUSION

Heat Gained by the Calorimeter = Heat lost by warm

water Heat gained by tap water
= 687 J 574 J
= 113 J
Heat Capacity of the Calorimeter =

Average Heat Capacity =

ii.

Enthalpy of Neutralization of a Strong Acid

and a Strong Base

Heat Gained by the Mixture = mass of mixture

specific heat of mixture change in temperature

Heat Gained by Calorimeter = Heat Capacity

Change in temperature
5.1C = 488.58 J = 0.489 kJ

Heat Gained by Calorimeter = Heat Capacity

Change in temperature

Total Heat Gained = 2.11 kJ + 0.489 kJ

= 2.60 kJ
Enthalpy of neutralization =
=

Total Heat Gained =

2.60 kJ
1 g NaOH (40-1 g-1 mol)

= 104 kJ
mol

Average Enthalpy =sum of the enthalpies of both trials

2
= (104+86.1)
= 95.05
2

Enthalpy of neutralization =

v.

Enthalpy of Neutralization of a Weak Acid

and a Strong Base

Average Enthalpy =
Heat Gained by the Mixture = mass of mixture
specific heat of mixture change in temperature
(1.7C) = 0.349 kJ
iii.

Enthalpy of Solution of a Solid Strong Base

Heat gained by the solution = mass solution

specific heat temperature change

Heat Gained by Calorimeter = Heat Capacity

Change in temperature
(1.7C) = 0.163 kJ
Total Heat Gained = 0.349 kJ + 0.163 kJ = 0.512 kJ

Heat Gained by Calorimeter = Heat Capacity

Change in temperature

Enthalpy of neutralization =
0.512 kJ
1mol CH3COOH
1L

Enthalpy of Solution =

20.5 kJ
mol

Average Enthalpy =sum of the enthalpies of both trials

2
= (20.5 +48.1)
= 34.3
2

Average Enthalpy =

vi.
iv.

Enthalpy of Neutralization of a Strong

Acid and a Solid Base

Heat Gained by the Mixture = mass of mixture

specific heat of mixture change in temperature
=[100 mL
= 2.11 kJ

+0.97 g]

(35. 1-30.0)C

Hess Law

Average Enthalpy = sum of the average enthalpy of B & C

= (64.9 +65.7)
= 131
Percent Error = 131- 95.05 x 100% = 38%
95.05
B. Calibration of Thermometer

There are two different sets of thermometers used- a

set of two thermometers for Parts A to C and another
for Parts D and E.
For Parts A to C
Thermometer A

Thermometer B

31.2

31.2

Since they have the same reading, no correction will

be done.

1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0

-31.2
-31.2
--

31.2
-31.2
-31.2

3.5

31.2

--

4.0

--

31.3

4.5

31.2

--

5.0

--

31.3

For Parts D and E

6.5
7.5
8.5
9.5
10.
5
11.
5
12.
5
13.
5
14.
5
15.
5

37.8
37.8
37.7
37.6
37.3
37.0
37.0
36.9
36.9
36.9

Table 4. Basis of Figure 5-6 (Procedure B)

Thermometer A

Thermometer B

31.5

30.5

In this case, the correction to be done is

.

After
Mixin
g
5.0
6.0
7.0

War
m
48.1
48.2
45.8
45.2

tem
p

TRIAL 2
Time
Tap
(min)
1.0
31.7
2.0
31.7
3.0
31.7
4.0
31.7
After
Mixing

38.4
38.1
38.0

5.0
6.0
7.0

War
m
40.1
39.9
39.8
39.7

Tem
p
33.9
33.9
33.9

Table 3. Basis of Figure 1-4 (Procedure A)

Time
(min)
0.0
0.5

HCl

0.5

31.
7
-31.
7
-31.
7
-31.
6
-31.
6
--

1.0
1.5

C. Trial Values

TRIAL 1
Time Tap
(min)
1.0
32.2
2.0
31.8
3.0
31.8
4.0
31.8

Time
(min)
0.0

TRIAL 1
HCl
NaOH
--

31.2

31.2

--

After
Mixing
Tim Tem
e
p
5.5 37.9

2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0

--

NaO
H
31.8
--

After
Mixing
Tim
Temp.
e
5.5

37.9

31.8
--

6.5

37.8

7.5

37.7

31.7
--

8.5

37.6

9.5

37.3

31.7
--

10.5

37.1

11.5

37.0

31.7
--

12.5

36.9

13.5

36.9

31.7

14.5
15.5

36.9
36.8

Table 5. Basis of Figure 7-8 (Procedure B)

Time
(min)
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5

TRIAL 1
CH3CO NaO
After Mixing
OH
H
(HCl + NaOH)
-30.1 Tim
Temp.
e
28.8
-5.5
32.1
-30.1 6.5
32.1
28.8
-7.5
32.0
-30.1 8.5
32.0
28.8
-9.5
32.0

3.0

--

30.1

3.5

28.8

--

4.0

--

30.1

4.5

28.8

--

5.0

--

30.1

10.
5
11.
5
12.
5
13.
5
14.
5
15.
5

31.9
31.9
31.9
31.9
31.9
31.8

Table 6. Basis of Figure 9-10 (Procedure E)

TRIAL 2
Time
(min)

CH3CO
OH

NaO
H

After Mixing
(CH3COOH +
NaOH)
Time Temp.

0.0

--

29.0

0.5

30.0

--

5.5

33.5

1.0

--

29.0

6.5

33.5

1.5

30.0

--

7.5

33.3

2.0

--

29.0

8.5

33.2

2.5

30.0

--

9.5

33.1

3.0

--

29.0

10.5

33.1

3.5

30.0

--

11.5

33.1

4.0

--

29.0

12.5

33.1

4.5

30.0

--

13.5

33.0

5.0

--

29.0

14.5

33.0

15.5

33.0

Table 6. Basis of Figure 9-10 (Procedure E)