Title: Specific latent heat of fusion of ice

Aim: To determine the specific latent heat of fusion

Theory : Specific latent heat of fusion of a substance is the heat energy needed to change unit mass of
the substance from solid to liquid without a change in temperature. Heat is the form of energy that is
transferred between systems or objects with different temperatures.

The mass of the Styrofoam cup will be determined, water will be heated to 35 degrees Celsius and
transferred into the cup, temperature will be recorded, mass of the water will be determined, ice will be
added, stirred until completely melted, and the final temperature will be recorded.

Apparatus:

1. Thermometer
2. Electronic scale

Material :

1. Styrofoam cup
2. Ice
3. Tissue
4. Heater
5. Water

Method:

1. The mass of the Styrofoam cup was determined

2. The water was heated to 35 degrees Celsius and transferred into the Styrofoam cup
3. Temperature was then recorded
4. The mass of the water was determined
5. Small pieces of ice were dried with tissue and added to the water in the Styrofoam cup.
6. It was then stirred with the thermometer until the ice was completely melted.
7. The final temperature was recorded.
Results and calculations:

Discussion:

In this experiment the aim was to find the specific latent heat of fusion of ice. In the solid state,
exemplified by the ice molecules are held together by intermolecular forces. When heat energy is
supplied to the ice, these molecules gain internal energy, eventually surpassing the forces that hold them
in place. At the melting point, usually 0 degrees Celsius for ice, thus energy is utilized to weaken the
intermolecular bonds allowing the molecules to transition into the liquid state. This transition occurs
without a change in temperature due to the absorbed energy being used solely for breaking these bond
representing the specific latent heat of fusion.

The initial temperature of the water was when it was transferred to the Styrofoam cup, which was
36.5 degrees Celsius, and when the ice was added, the final temperature was 24 degrees Celsius.The ice
had cooled the water. The mass of the water was 0.11930kg and the mass of the ice was 0.0185kg. The
heat loss of the water is equal to the heat gain of the ice. To find for the specific latent heat of fusion of
ice the formula:

mcΔt= Lfm + mcΔt

will be used. Where, M is be the mass,c is the specific heat capacity, and Δt is the change in temperature.

Limitations:

1. Evaporation can occur causing the experiments results and calculations.

Sources of error:

1. Incomplete melting of ice

2. Incorrect reading of electronic scale.

Precautions :

1. Read electronic scale accurately

2. Make sure all the ice was fully melted.
3. Be sensible when handling apparatus.

Conclusion:

It can be concluded that the specific latent heat of fusion of 0.0185kg of ice is 2.3 * 10^5 j kg^-1.