***Thermometer reading 1 decimal place

Operational Definition of END POINT

A point in which the highest temperature is achieved when
hydrochloric acid is added to sodium hydroxide solution in a
beaker.

Operational Definition of HEAT OF NEUTRALISATION

Thermometer reading increase (what to observe) when 1 mole
of sodium hydroxide solution is added to 1 mole of hydrochloric
acid.
(What to do+ What to observe)

Question may ask

1) Observation
a. The container feels warm.
b. Thermometer reading increase.
For case that add HCl from time to time:
c. Thermometer reading increase until it achieves maximum
temperature. Then, the thermometer reading decrease.

2) Inference
The thermometer reading increase because neutralisation
reaction between (acid) and (alkali) is an exothermic reaction
that release heat to surrounding.
For case that add HCl from time to time:
As the total volume of HCl added increases, more water is
produced. Thus, more heat is released. When all HCl
completely neutralise NaOH solution, temperature is the
highest. When excess volume of HCl is added, no heat is
released. Heat released from previous reaction is distributed
over a larger volume. Thus, temperature of the solution
decrease.

3) Relationship / Hypothesis
For case that add HCl from time to time
When total volume of HCl increases, temperature increases
until it achieves highest temperature. Then, temperature
decrease again.
OR
The higher the (Manipulated variable), the higher the
(Responding variable)

4) Conclusion
The hypothesis is accepted. When total volume of HCl
increases, temperature increases until it achieves highest
temperature. Then, temperature decrease again.

5) Variables
Manipulated variable: Total volume of HCl
Responding variable: Temperature / Thermometer reading
Constant variable: Volume and concentration of sodium
hydroxide solution / Type of acid

6) Prediction
a. Predict the volume of sulphuric acid needed if hydrochloric
acid is replaced by sulphuric acid in the experiment. Explain.
Answer: * need a value (12.5cm3)
HCl is monoprotic acid, H2SO4 is a diprotic acid.
Concentration of H+ ions in sulphuric acid is twice the
concentration of H+ ions in hydrochloric acid.

b. Predict the heat of precipitation if sulphuric acid is used

instead of hydrochloric acid in the experiment.
Answer: Heat of neutralisation is the heat energy released
when 1 mole of water is formed from the reaction between acid
and alkaline. Thus, the heat of neutralisation of both acids is
the same. (although the quantity of heat energy released in both
experiments are different).
* Remember, basicity of an acid does not affect the heat of
precipitation. Instead, it changes the quantity of heat released
to the surrounding. One of the factors that affects the heat of
neutralisation is the strength of the acid (either strong or weak).

c. Predict the heat of precipitation if ethanoic acid (weak acid)

is used instead of hydrochloric acid in the experiment.
Answer: The heat of neutralisation is less than 57kJ mol-1. This
is because ethanoic acid is weak acid. Weak acid ionises
partially in water to produce low concentration of H+ ions.
Some heat released during the reaction is used to ionise the
acid completely.
(Same cases if weak alkali is used)

d. Predict the temperature change if the sulphuric acid is used

instead of hydrochloric acid in the experiment.
Ans 1: The temperature change is higher (or give a value
Exp:7.0 °C) Sulphuric acid is diprotic acid. Sulphuric acid
ionises in water to produce two H+ ions per acid molecule.
Two moles of hydrogen ions from diprotic acid reacts with two
moles of hydroxide ions from sodium hydroxide solution to
produce two moles of water which release more heat.

Ans 2: The temperature does not change. Sulphuric acid ionises

in water to produce twice number of moles of H+ ions in
hydrochloric acid. Thus, it is in excess.

(Either answer 1 or answer 2 not sure)

7) Concentration of acid/base
a. Equation: HCl + NaOH → NaCl + H20
b. MaVa/MbVb=a/b

8) Equation
a. Ionic equation: H+ + OH -→ H2O
b. Thermochemical equation:
HCl(aq)+NaOH(aq) → NaCl(aq)+H2O(l) ∆H = -57 kJ mol-1

9) Energy level diagram

10) Precautionary step

a) Polystyrene cup or plastic cup is used.
b) One of the aqueous solutions is added quickly into the other
aqueous solution.
c) The polystyrene cup is wrapped with cotton cloth.
d) To obtain uniform temperature, the mixture is stirred with
glass rod throughout the experiment.

好心劝一句，这个只是 sample，不要死死跟着，到时还
是要随机应变，祝你好运！