CSEC CHEMISTRY INVESTIGATIVE PROJECT (2020-2022)

Date:13.01.2022 Lab no: 9

NAME AND CLASS: Mia Lee Ling, 5G2.
SYLLABUS TOPIC: Energetics

SKILLS ASSESSED: PLANNING AND DESIGN; ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION Commented [1]: 10/10. Seen by CKF. 12/03/22.
Commented [2]: 20/20. Seen by CKF. 15/03/22.

‘We treat everything from arthritis to pulled muscles to inflammation with ice packs or heating pads.
Treating pain with hot and cold can be extremely effective for a number of different conditions and
injuries, and easily affordable. The tricky part is knowing what situations call for hot, and which calls
for cold. Sometimes a single treatment will even include both. As a general rule of thumb, use ice for
acute injuries or pain, along with inflammation and swelling. Use heat for muscle pain or stiffness.’
Source: https://www.healthline.com/health/chronic-pain/treating-pain-with-heat-and-
cold#_noHeaderPrefixedContent

The use of cold packs is often used in the sporting industry. Many athletes often used cold packs to
relieve pain due to pulled muscles and sprained joints. These packs contain powdered ammonium
nitrate or powdered ammonium chloride and water separated by a thin plastic membrane. As the pack
is squeezed, the membrane breaks and the ammonium nitrate or ammonium chloride mixes with the
water.
Plan and design an experiment to determine which acts as the better cold pack: the ammonium nitrate
compound or the ammonium chloride compound. Your experiment should involve the determination
of the enthalpy change (heat of solution) when a cold pack solid such as powdered ammonium nitrate
or ammonium chloride dissolves in water.

Planning and Design:

Statement of hypothesis ● must be testable 1
● must include the manipulated variable 1
Aim ● must include the method to be used 1
● must be based on the hypothesis 1
Apparatus and ● list must be complete (all essential ones must be listed) 4
materials
● 1 essential one missing 3
● 2 essential ones missing 2
● 3 essential ones missing 1
● all essential ones are not listed 0
Procedure ● must be feasible 1
Variables ● Constant, manipulated and responding 3 (1 mark each)

Data to be collected ● All data given (observations, measurements or any 1

qualitative data) in a suitable format

Treatment of data
Predicted results
● carrying correct units 2
● Detailed explanation that correctly justifies what is stated 2
in the aim and the hypothesis
● Vague explanation that partially justifies what is stated in
1
the aim and the hypothesis
● Poor explanation which does not match the aim and
0
hypothesis
● Must match the aim 1
● validates the statement of hypothesis
1

Precautions, One of each listed (1 marked from the list) 1

limitations,
assumptions
Total: Commented [3]: 20/20.
20 marks
÷2 = 10 marks

Analysis and Interpretation:

1. Introduction: give a brief overview of the principles(s) involved.
2. Method: linked to proposal and a change of tense (1 mark)
3. Results:
a. appropriate record of results (1 mark)
b. all physical quantities recorded with suitable units (2 marks)
4. Discussion:
a. Full explanation given and linked to the results obtained. All chemical equations and calculations
with the accompanied theory should be included.
(5 marks)
5. Limitations (1 mark)
6. Precautions (1 mark)
7. Sources of error (1 mark)
8. Reflections:
a. Relevance between the experiment and real life (1 mark)
b. Impact of knowledge you gained from the experiment (2 marks)
c. justification for any adjustment made during the experiment (1 mark)
d. correct use of scientific language, correct use of grammar, clarity of expression (2 marks)
9. Conclusion:
a. stated clearly (1 mark)
b. related to the aim (1 mark)

Total: 20 marks Commented [4]: 20/20.

Statement of Hypothesis: The ammonium nitrate compound acts as a better cold pack than Commented [5]: 2 marks.
the ammonium chloride compound.
Aim: To determine and calculate the enthalpy change which is the heat of solution for an Commented [6]: 2 marks.
endothermic reaction of powdered ammonium nitrate and solid ammonium chloride when
dissolved in water by measuring the temperature readings between reactants.

Apparatus and Materials: thermometer, top-loading balance, burette, beaker, measuring Commented [7]: 4 marks.
cylinder, stopwatch, calorimeter (two nested styrofoam cups), spatula, 10g powder
ammonium nitrate, 10g powder ammonium chloride.

Procedure: Commented [8]: 1 mark.

1. Using a burette, place 100cm3 of water into a plastic calorimeter.
2. Record the initial water temperature three times.
3. Using a spatula, scoop out ammonium nitrate and place into a beaker.
4. Place the beaker onto the top loading balance and calibrate it to zero.
5. Gradually add or take out ammonium nitrate till the desired measurement of 10g is
met.
6. Place 10g of ammonium nitrate into the calorimeter and stir well.
7. Record the lowest temperature obtained for the solution three times.
8. Repeat steps 1-5 but use ammonium chloride instead.
9. Calculate the heat of solution when 10g of ammonium nitrate dissolves in 100cm3 of
water and when 10 g of ammonium chloride dissolves in 100cm3 of water for each
respective reaction.

Constant Variable: volume of water, the mass of solid ammonium nitrate used, the mass of Commented [9]: 1 mark.
powdered ammonium chloride used.

Manipulated Variable: type of salt being dissolved. Commented [10]: 1 mark.

Responding Variable: temperature changes. Commented [11]: 1 mark.

Treatment of Data: Commented [12]: Data to be collected heading: 3

marks.

Table 1.0 showing the results for the temperature readings of distilled water used before
adding NH4Cl.

Readings Temperature (°C)

3
Table 2.0 showing the mass values used for the powdered ammonium chloride and solid
ammonium nitrate respectively.
Powdered Ammonium Chloride (g) Solid Ammonium Nitrate (g)

Table 3.0 showing the results for the temperature readings of distilled water used before
adding NH4NO3.
Readings Temperature (°C)

Table 4.0 showing the results for the temperature readings per minute after powdered
ammonium chloride was added till a constant temperature was reached.
Readings Time (minutes) Temperature (°C)

1 5th

2 6th

3 7th

Table 5.0 showing the results for the temperature readings per minute after solid ammonium
nitrate was added till a constant temperature was reached.
Readings Time (minutes) Temperature (°C)

1 5th

2 6th

3 7th

Treatment of Data: Commented [13]: 2 marks.

Two endothermic reactions (absorbing heat from the atmosphere) were to be observed. The
enthalpy of solution for both solids can be determined by using the equation:
Q = mcΔθ

Where:
Q = energy change.
m = mass of NH4NO3 and NH4Cl and the mass of the H2O.
c = specific heat capacity of water (4.18 Jg-1C-1).
Δθ = temperature change = initial temperature - final temperature.

Q = aJ
= a/1000 kJ
= b kJ

Using:
# of moles = mass/molar mass
Molar mass of NH4NO3 = 14 (2) + 4 (1) + 16 (3)
= 80 gmol-1

∴ the number of moles of NH4NO3 = c moles.

c moles = b kJ
1 mole = b/c
= d kJ

Thus, the enthalpy of solution for NH4NO3 is + d kJmol-1

The above calculation is repeated for NH4Cl.

Predicted Results: Commented [14]: 2 marks.

The enthalpy change of NH4NO3 is lower than the enthalpy change of NH4Cl.

If the enthalpy change of NH4NO3 is lower than the enthalpy change of NH4Cl, then
NH4NO3 acts as a better cold pack and proves the hypothesis to be valid.

However, if the enthalpy change of NH4NO3 is not lower than the enthalpy change of NH4Cl,
then NH4NO3 does not act as a better cold pack and proves the hypothesis to be invalid.

Precaution:
When taking readings, ensure that the bulb of the thermometer was not in contact with the
sides of the cup.
Limitation:
Not all the salt was completely transferred into the cup of water because some of it was stuck
to the beaker.

Assumption: Commented [15]: 1 mark.

The density of solution is the same as the density of water ( 1cm3 = 1g).
The specific heat capacity of the mixture is the same as the specific heat capacity of water
( 4.18 Jg-1C-1).
The calorimeter does not absorb or gain energy.

Analysis and Interpretation.

An Enthalpy Change may be defined as the heat exchange between a chemical reaction and
its surroundings. Ammonium Nitrate and Ammonium Chloride are two salts used in cold
packs because they do not absorb heat easily. In this experiment, the enthalpy change will be
calculated which is the heat of solution for an endothermic reaction of powdered ammonium
nitrate and solid ammonium chloride when dissolved in water by measuring the temperature
readings between reactants. The salt with the lower enthalpy change determines which of the
two are a better cold pack.

Apparatus and Materials: thermometer, top-loading balance, burette, calorimeter (two nested
styrofoam cups), powder ammonium nitrate, powder ammonium chloride.

Procedure: Commented [16]: 1 mark.

1. A burette was used to measure 100cm3 of water and it was placed into a plastic
calorimeter.
2. The initial water temperature was recorded three times.
3. A spatula was used to scoop out ammonium nitrate and was placed into a beaker.
4. The beaker was placed onto the top loading balance and calibrated to zero.
5. Ammonium nitrate was gradually added or removed till the desired measurement of
10g was met.
6. 10g of ammonium nitrate was placed into the calorimeter and stirred well.
7. The lowest constant temperature obtained for the solution was recorded.
8. Steps 1-5 were repeated but ammonium chloride was used instead.
9. The heat of solution when 10g of ammonium nitrate dissolves in 100cm3 of water
and when 10 g of ammonium chloride dissolves in 100cm3 of water for each
respective reaction was calculated.

Results:
Table 1.0 showing the results for the temperature readings of distilled water used before
adding NH4Cl.

Readings Temperature (°C)

1 28.0

2 28.0

3 28.0

Table 2.0 showing the mass values used for the powdered ammonium chloride and solid
ammonium nitrate respectively.
NH4Cl (g) NH4NO3 (g)
 10.26 10.20

Table 3.0 showing the results for the temperature readings of distilled water used before
adding NH4NO3.
Readings Temperature (°C)

1 30.0

2 30.0

3 30.0

Table 4.0 showing the results for the temperature readings per minute after powdered Commented [17]: 3 marks.
ammonium chloride was added till a constant temperature was reached.
Readings Time (minutes) Temperature (°C)

1 5th 22.0

2 6th 22.0

3 7th 22.0

4 8th 22.0

5 9th 22.0

6 10th 22.0

7 11th 22.0

8 12th 22.0

Table 5.0 showing the results for the temperature readings per minute after solid ammonium
nitrate was added till a constant temperature was reached.
Readings Time (minutes) Temperature (°C)

1 5th 23.0

2 6th 23.0

3 7th 23.0

4 8th 23.0
 5 9th 23.0

6 10th 23.0

7 11th 23.0

8 12th 22.0

Calculation:

Ammonium Nitrate:
Mass of 1 mole NH4NO3 = (2x14) + (1x4) + (3x16)
= 80g
Therefore the number of moles in 10.20 g = 10.20/80
= 0.1275 mol

Volume of water = 100cm3

Thus, mass of water = 100g
Final mass of solution = 100g

Change in temperature = initial - final

= 30 - 23
= 7°C

Specific heat capacity (c) of water = 4.18 Jg-1C-1

Q = mcΔθ
= 100(4.2)(7)
= 2940J

Heat absorbed dissolving 1 mole NH4NO3 = (2940/0.1275)/1000 J

= 23.06 kJ.

∴ The heat of solution for NH4NO3 = + 23.06 kJ mol-1

Ammonium Chloride
Mass of 1 mole of NH4Cl = 14 + (1x4) + 37.5
= 55.5g
Therefore, the number of moles in 10.26 g = 10.26/55.5
= 0.1849 mol
Volume of water = 100cm3
Thus, mass of water = 100g
Final mass of solution = 100g

Change in temperature = initial - final

= 28 - 22
= 6°C

Specific heat capacity (c) of water = 4.18 Jg-1C-1

Q = mcΔθ
= 100(4.2)(6)
=2520 J

Heat absorbed dissolving 1 mole NH4Cl = (2520/ 0.1849)/1000 J

= 13.63

∴ The heat of solution for NH4Cl = +13.63 kJ mol-1

Discussion: Commented [18]: Good. 5 marks.

All chemical substances store energy within their bonds. When a chemical reaction occurs,
there is usually a change in energy between their reactants and products. An endothermic
reaction may be defined as a reaction that absorbs heat energy and causes the surrounding
temperature to decrease. This is due to the fact that the energy absorbed to break the bonds in
the reactants is greater than the energy released when forming new bonds. To determine
whether or not there was a change in temperature, enthalpy is calculated. The enthalpy
change, or the heat change of the reaction was calculated using the formula below:

Q = mcΔθ

A positive temperature change indicates that the temperature of the reaction has decreased.
From the calculations, ammonium nitrate and ammonium chloride are endothermic reactions.
The enthalpy of ammonium chloride was lower than that of ammonium nitrate.

Precaution: Commented [19]: 1 mark.

When taking readings, ensure that the bulb of the thermometer was not in contact with the
sides of the cup.

Limitation: Commented [20]: 1 mark.

Not all the salt was completely transferred into the cup of water because some of it was stuck
to the beaker.

Source of Error: Commented [21]: 1 mark.

Some of the water droplets remained in the burette and thus, not all the water was transferred
into the nested styrofoam cups.

Reflection: Commented [22]: 2 marks.

This experiment allowed me to have a better understanding of the topic Energetics as well as Commented [23]: 4 marks.
how enthalpy changes happen. I am now equipped with the knowledge and understanding of
the process of endothermic reactions and how it is used in the health industry to treat athletes
and patients with injuries or inflammation. I was able to learn how to use lab equipment such
as the top loading balance, Lasty, there were no adjustments made during this experiment.

Conclusion: Commented [24]: 2 marks.

Ammonium chloride is a better cold pack than ammonium nitrate because ammonium
chloride has a lower enthalpy change of +13.63 kJ mol-1 than that of ammonium nitrate which
had an enthalpy change of + 23.06 kJ mol-1 as proven in the previous calculations.