Practical: Investigating Temperature Changes
Aim:
- To perform a calorimetry study of the reaction between HCl and NaOH
Apparatus:
- Dilute hydrochloric acid
- Dilute sodium hydroxide solution
- Styrofoam (polystyrene) calorimeter & lid
- 25 cm3 measuring cylinder
- Thermometer & stirrer
Simple calorimeter
A lid is required to prevent heat loss
Method:
- Using a measuring cylinder, place 25 cm3 of the NaOH solution into the calorimeter
- Measure and record the temperature of the solution
- Add 5 cm3 of the dilute HCl and stir
- Measure and record the highest temperature reached by the mixture
- Repeat steps 1 – 4 increasing the amount of acid added by 5 cm3 each time
Results:
- Record your results in a suitable table
Volume of acid (cm3) | Temperature (oC) |
5 | |
10 | |
15 | |
20 | |
25 |
- Plot a graph of the results and draw a line of best fit, using the graph to determine what volume of acid causes the biggest change in temperature
Conclusion:
- The larger the difference in the temperature the more energy is absorbed or released