Physics Planning and Design Lab

Khaylee Rivero
Date:
Topic: Absorption of Liquids
Problem Statement: Water can absorb a tremendous amount of heat. Thus, they are used as
coolant in nuclear reactors to transfer the heat energy from the reactor to be used to generate
electricity. The coolant which passes through nuclear reactors is used to transport the reactor heat
to a boiler where steam is raised to run a conventional turbine. This coolant can be fresh or salt
water.

Hypothesis: Salty water heats up more quickly than fresh water

Aim: To investigate if saltwater heats up faster than fresh water.

Materials: Bunsen burner, tripod stand, wire gauze, 2 measuring cylinders, stopwatch, sodium
chloride, 1L distilled water, thermometer, stirring rod.

Specifications:
Independent variable: Type of coolant
Dependent variable: Time
Controlled variable: Amount of water, beaker, type of thermometer, same heat source
Apparatus:

DIAGRAM SHOWING TWO BEAKERS BEING HEATED

Physics Planning and Design Lab
Khaylee Rivero
Procedure:
1. Set up Bunsen burner.
2. Measure out 100g of solution in the measuring cylinder and add 500ml of water and stir.
3. Measure out 500ml of distilled water.
4. Insert the thermometer into sodium chloride solution and water solution.
5. Heat both solutions until the temperature rises. Start stopwatch.
6. Switch off the burner and timer.
7. Record the time taken in seconds on the table.
8. Repeat the entire procedure to check for accuracy of the time.

Result: TABLE SHOWING TIME OBATINED FROM SALT AND FRESH WATER
Time (s)
Water Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Average Time (s)
solution
Distilled
Water
Salt Water

Expected Results:
It is expected that the rate of absorption in saltwater will be faster than fresh water.
Precautions:
1. The thermometer was read at eye level to ensure that there was an accurate reading of the
temperature.
2. Check that there aren’t any holes on the wire gauze as this can affect the heating process.
Modification:
1. Using a lid to prevent loss of heat
2. Insulating the measuring cylinders to prevent heat loss by conduction
Limitation:
1. Heat was not evenly distributed by wind, disrupting the heating process.
2. Measuring Cylinder used cannot withhold the different heat temperature.