Enthalpy of Neutralization Lab
Materials:
- HCl 2M (around 100 cm3)
- NaOH 2M (around 100 cm3)
- 2 beakers labeled “acid’ and “base”
- 2 50 cm3 graduated cylinders labeled “acid’ and “base”
- Thermometer
- Styrofoam cup and 400 cm3 beaker to hold it up
- Paper towels
- Measure exactly 50 cm3 of the acid into the Styrofoam cup and place the thermometer until the temperature stabilize. RECORD ºC. Wipe the thermometer using paper towels.
- Calculate the number of moles of acid present in the measured solution
- Measure 50 cm3 of the base in the graduated cylinder and measure the temperature.
- RECORD ºC
- Calculate the number of moles of base present in the measured solution
- Pour the base into the Styrofoam cup containing the acid and swirl the resultant solution using the thermometer. Record the maximum temperature ºC
- Write the equation of neutralization between Hydrochloric acid and Sodium Hydroxide.
- Calculate the number of moles of water formed in the total solution
- Assuming the density of the solution is 1g cm-3, how many grams of solution are present in the Styrofoam cup?
- Calculate the Q of the reaction Q = m x c x Δt, where m is the mass of solution, c is the specific heat of water (4.18 J g-1 ºC-1)
- Calculate how much energy will be released when 1 mol of water would form (ΔH)
- Repeat the experiment using 25 cm3 of each solution instead and perform all the calculations again.
- What can you conclude from your observations?