Chemistry Lab Manual – SK025

EXPERIMENT 2: DETERMINING THE HEAT OF REACTION

Objectives

At the end of this lesson, students should be able to:

i. determine the heat capacity of a calorimeter; and
ii. determine the heat of neutralisation of HCl and NaOH.

Introduction

Heat released or absorbed during chemical reactions can be measured by

using a calorimeter. A calorimeter is a container that is thermally isolated
from the environment. Heat released by the chemical reaction, −q is absorbed
by the solution and the calorimeter.

−qrxn = qs + qc ….. (1)

where qs = heat absorbed by solution

qc = heat absorbed by calorimeter

The heat absorbed by a calorimeter is proportional to the change in

temperature. The proportionality constant, C, is known as the heat capacity
of a calorimeter. Heat capacity is defined as the amount of heat required to
increase the temperature of the calorimeter by 1°C.

qc = C∆T ….. (2)

For a solution, the heat absorbed is proportional to the mass of the

solution and the change in temperature. The constant, c, is known as the
specific heat capacity of solution per unit mass. The specific heat capacity
of a very dilute solution is equivalent to the specific heat capacity of
pure water, 4.18 J g−1 °C−1. The mass of the solution can be calculated by
assuming the density of the solution is the same as the density of water.

qs = mscs∆T ….. (3)

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Heat released can be determined by measuring the temperature before and

after the reaction:

−qrxn = CT + mscsT ….. (4)

where ∆T = final temperature of system – initial

temperature of system
ms = mass of solution
Cc = heat capacity of calorimeter
cs = specific heat capacity of solution

Apparatus Chemical Reagents

25 mL pipette 1.0 M HCl
100 mL beaker 1.0 M NaOH
Thermometer
Calorimeter or styrofoam cup

Procedure

(A) Determination of the heat capacity of a calorimeter

1. Set up a simple calorimeter as shown in Figure 2.1.

Figure 2.1
A simple calorimeter (Chang, 2005)

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2. Measure the temperature, T1, of an empty calorimeter.

3. Pipette 50 mL of distilled water into a 100 mL beaker.

4. Heat the beaker to a temperature between 50 − 60°C.

5. Pour the hot water into the calorimeter. Close the lid
immediately and measure the initial temperature of the hot
water, T2.

6. Observe the decrease in temperature every 10 seconds for 2

minutes. Record the temperature that remains constant, T3.

7. Determine the heat capacity of the calorimeter.

(B) Determination of the heat of neutralisation of 1.0 M HCl and 1.0 M

NaOH

1. Pipette 25 mL of 1.0 M NaOH solution into the calorimeter

and 25 mL of 1.0 M HCl solution into a beaker. Record the
initial temperature of each solution.

2. Without removing the thermometer, lift the lid slightly and

quickly pour the HClsolution into the calorimeter.

3. Quickly replace the lid of the calorimeter.

4. Stir the solution and record the maximum temperature reached.

5. Calculate the heat of neutralisation.

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 Chemistry Lab Manual – SK025

DATA SHEET

EXPERIMENT 2: DETERMINING THE HEAT OF REACTION

RESULTS

(A) Determination of the heat capacity of a calorimeter

i. Temperature of calorimeter, T1 = ________ °C

ii. Initial temperature of the hot water used, T2 = ________ °C

Time
Interval (s) 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120
Temperature
(°C)

iii. Constant temperature of water, T3 = ________ °C

iv. Mass of water (assume ρwater = 1.0 g/mL) = ________ g

(B) Determination of the heat of neutralisation of 1.0 M HCl and 1.0 M

NaOH

Initial temperature of HCl (°C) =

Initial temperature of NaOH (°C) =

Average initial temperature (°C) =

Maximum temperature (°C) =

T =

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