Experiment: 5

Title of the Experiment: find the heat of solution using HCl and NaOH using a colorimeter

1. Introduction:
Calorimetry is a primary technique for measuring the thermal properties of materials to
establish a connection between temperature and specific physical properties of substances and
is the only method for direct determination of the enthalpy associated with the process of
interest. The use of the Beer-Lambert rule, which asserts that the concentration of a solute is
proportional to the absorbance, is a scientific method used to calculate the concentration of
colored compounds in solutions using Calorimetry.

In Colorimetry, the wavelength and intensity of electromagnetic radiation in the visible

spectrum are measured. It is often used to identify and calculate the amounts of materials that
absorb light.

2. Apparatus and Chemicals:

o water
o NaOH
o HCl
o colorimeter
o weighing balance
o beakers
o flasks
o Thermometer
o stopwatch
o pipette

3. Safety Information:

HCl should be stored in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area away from other chemicals, bases, and
flammable materials.

o Handling: HCl should be handled with care as it is a highly corrosive and toxic substance. Always
use proper tools such as tongs or pipettes to handle the substance.
o Dilution: When diluting HCl, always add the acid to the water slowly while stirring. Never add
water to HCl as it can cause a violent reaction.
o Mixing: Never mix HCl with organic materials, reducing agents, or bases, as it can cause a violent
reaction and the release of toxic gases.
o Disposal: HCl solutions should be neutralized before disposal to prevent the formation of
dangerous gases. Follow proper disposal guidelines for hazardous waste.
 o Ventilation: Always use HCl in a well-ventilated area to prevent the inhalation of toxic fumes.

4. Experimental Setup:

o Weight the empty colorimeter and note down it as m1.

o Take two volumetric cylinders and add 50 ml of 1 M HCl solution in one cylinder and 50 ml of 1M
NaOH solution in the other cylinder.
o Then check their temperature using a thermometer and note down it as T1.
o After that take a colorimeter and add both solutions into it.
o Then stir them constantly and check the temperature at the interval every 10 seconds until the
further change in temperature stops.
o Write down the final constant temperature as T2.
o weigh the colorimeter containing solution m’
o m’- m1= m2

5. Experiment Findings:

Colorimetry follows the principles of the Beer-Lambert law and is expressed by:

A = Ɛxbxc

A is the absorbance of the sample component

Ɛ is a wavelength-dependent absorption coefficient

b is the cell path length

c is the cell path length

m1= 187.5

Specific heat capacity of colorimeter: s1 = 0.38 J

Specific heat of capacity of solution = s2 = 4.18

V= Volume of acid and base = 50 cm3

M= Molarity of Acid or base = 1M

T1 =22o C

T2 = 32o C

∆T = 10o C

Heat of neutralization= [(m1s1+ m2s2)∆T/ 1000] * 1000/M*V

=(10(187.5* 0.38) + 10(101.5 * 4.18))*50/1000

=98.73 KJmol-1
6. Conclusion:

The conclusion from the obtained results and justification.

7. Possible errors and their mitigation:

o Heat loss: Heat can be lost during the reaction to the environment, which causes the heat of the
solution to be understated. The reaction vessel must be properly insulated all around in order to
reduce this mistake. The interval between mixing the solutions and measuring the temperature
change might be shortened in order to minimize heat transfer and use a calorimeter with strong
insulating qualities.

o Incomplete mixing: Insufficient mixing of the reactants can lead to uneven heat distribution
within the solution, causing inaccuracies in temperature measurements. To minimize this error,
ensure thorough mixing of the solutions by using a magnetic stirrer or vigorous manual stirring.
Take care to allow enough time for complete mixing before taking temperature readings.

o Incomplete mixing: Insufficient mixing of the reactants can lead to uneven heat distribution
within the solution, causing inaccuracies in temperature measurements. To minimize this error,
ensure thorough mixing of the solutions by using a magnetic stirrer or vigorous manual stirring.
Take care to allow enough time for complete mixing before taking temperature readings.

8. Application of this activity to real-world problem:

A colorimeter is a compact, portable instrument used to evaluate the brightness and color contrast of a
computer or television screen. To provide viewers with the best possible image, it enables the ability to
alter the settings. Additionally, it is utilized in the printing sector, where it complements the
fundamentals of color management. It accomplishes this by including an electrical component that
controls pulp paper and preserves both its and the printing ink's quality. Additionally, diamond traders
use it to gauge the gems' characteristics and determine whether or not they are genuine. A colorimeter
can assess a person's skin tone and tooth color, which aids in the diagnosis of any possible dental or
cutaneous illnesses. By checking for substances including fluoride, chlorine, cyanide, hydrazine,
molybdenum, iron, and dissolved oxygen, it is also used to test the water's quality.