CALORIMETRY

INTRODUCTION
The heat evolved by a chemical reaction can be determined using a
calorimeter. The transfer of heat or flow of heat is expressed as the
change in Enthalpy of a reaction, ∆H, at constant pressure. In today’s
laboratory you will be determining the Enthalpy of neutralization as
well as the enthalpy of formation of MgO. Styrofoam cups will be used
to construct a calorimeter because Styrofoam has good insulating
properties.

The enthalpy of neutration will be determined from the reaction of a

strong acid (HCI) and a Strong Base (NaOH).
The enthalpy of formation of MgO(s):

(1) Mg(s) + ½ O 2 (g) → MgO(s) ∆H formation = ?

Will be calculated by experimental, determining the enthalpy changes for

the reactions of magnesium metal and magnesium oxide with acid and the
known enthalpy of formation of liquid water (-285.8 kJ/mol.) (See
equations. 2-4)

(2) Mg(s) + 2H+(aq) → Mg2+(aq) + H 2 (g) ∆H rxn = ?

(3) MgO(s) + 2H+(aq) → Mg2+(aq) + H 2 O(1) ∆H rxn =?

(4) H 2 (g) + ½ O 2 (g) → H 2 O(1) ∆H f = -285.8 kJ/mol

The heat q, absorbed or released will be determined by running the

reactions in calorimeters and measuring the temperature change (∆T) as
the reaction proceeds.

(5) q evolved by the reaction = q gained by the solution + q gained by

the calorimeter
*Note: the heat gained by the calorimeter q calorimeter, is negligible.

(6) -q rxn = [m C p ∆T soln ] + [m C p ∆T] calorimeter

where m = mass (in grams) of the solution

C p = heat capacity (in J/g- °C) at constant pressure
∆T = change in temperature in degrees Celsius

In this experiment we will assume that the heat gained by the

calorimeter is negligible and, therefore, the heat evolved by the
reaction can be calculated from the temperature change of the solution
alone:

(7) -q heat lost by the rxn = q heat gained by the H 2 O

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Since we are trying to determine the molar enthalpies of Mg and MgO
reactions with acid, it is important that Mg and MgO be limiting
reagents in their reactions with acid. Then q rxn can be converted to
molar enthalpy by calculating the moles of metal consumed in the
reaction.

(8) ∆H rxn = -q rxn

(moles of Mg)

∆H xn = -q rxn
(moles of MgO)

SAFETY:
Dilute hydrochloric acid (HCl), nitric acid (HNO3) and sodium
hydroxide (NaOH) can harm eyes, skin, and clothing. Handle with
care. Any acid or base spilled on the skin or splashed into your
eyes must be rinsed with a large volume of water.
DISPOSAL:
Dispose of the Magnesium reaction mixtures in the waste container:
Magnesium mixtures waste

PROCEDURE
A. Construct a calorimeter using 3 Styrofoam cups (located on the
side bench) as shown below:

Thermometer

upside down
styrofoam cup

1 styrofoam
cup inserted into
another
Check the stockroom.

B. The Reaction of HCl and NaOH

1. 100mL graduate cylinder 25.0 ml of 0.5M HCl into the Styrofoam

cup. Measure and record its temperature. Add 25.0 ml of 1.0 M
NaOH into a clean and dry 150 ml beaker. Measure and record its
temperature. The two temperatures should not differ by more than
2 degree Celsius.

2. Carefully add the 1.0 M NaOH solution to the HCl in the Styrofoam
cup. Quickly place the lid on the Styrofoam cup. Read the
temperature and record the maximum temperature.

3. Repeat the HCl + NaOH procedure for a second trial

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C. Enthalpy of Reaction for Mg(s) + 2H + (aq)

1. Weigh about 0.4g of Mg metal (on weighing paper). Record weight

to the nearest milligram.

2. Add 100-mL of 0.5 M(aq)HCI solution to the calorimeter. Record

its temperature. Now add the magnesium metal to the calorimeter
and stir the solution.

3. Read the temperature and record the maximum temperature.

D. Enthalpy of Reaction for MgO(s) + 2H + (aq)

1. Repeat the same steps as in procedure C (including re-measuring

the temperature of the acid solution).

2. Use about 0.7g of powdered MgO weighed to the nearest milligram

(instead of 0.4g of Mg metal). Note: MgO powder is ‘‘sticky.’’
To prevent any loss of MgO, add BOTH solid MgO and weighing paper
to the calorimeter making sure all the MgO dissolves. Assume the
heat capacity (C p ) of the paper is negligible.

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 Laboratory Book

Title

Purpose:

Equations:
Safety:
Disposal:
Materials and Equipment Table:
Procedure:
Data:

Molarity of HCl________

Molarity of NaOH________

I. Reaction of HCl + NaOH

Trial 1 Trial 2

Volume of HCl

Initial
temperature of
HCl
Volume of NaOH

Initial
temperature of
NaOH
Maximum
temperature

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II. ∆H f for M g O

a. Reaction for Mg(s) + 2H + (aq)

Trial 1 Trial 2

Volume of HCl

Initial temperature
of HCl
Grams of Mg

Maximum temperature

b. Reaction for MgO(s) + 2H + (aq)

Trial 1 Trial 2

Volume of HCl

Initial temperature
of HCl
Grams of MgO

Maximum temperature

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Calculations:

I. Reaction of HCl + NaOH

a. Average NaOH and HCl initial temperature
b. Change in temperature
c. Mass of final mixture
d. Heat evolved during reaction
e. Moles of water formed
f. ∆H of neutralization (Heat evolved per mole of H2O, KJ/mol) for
each trial
g. Average ∆Hneutralization

II.
a. Use ∆T to compute q rxn (in kJ/gram) and ∆H rxn (in kJ/mol)for each
reaction. Assume the following: the heat gained by the styrofoam
calorimeter is negligible and can be excluded from the
calculations; the density of the solution is 1.00 g/mL; the heat
capacity of the solution is 4.18 J/g-°; and the volume of the
solution is 100mL.

b. Using ∆H f for water, and Hess’ Law, compute ∆H f for MgO.

c. Using the ∆H f value for MgO found in the appendix of your textbook
as the ‘‘true value,’’ calculate the percent error.

Questions:

1. For the following problems, assume that the volume of the final

solution is 200.-mL, the density of the solution is 1.00 g/mL and

the heat capacity of the solution is the same as water (4.184

J/g- degree Celsius).

a) When 0.800 g of Ca metal is added to 200-mL of 0.500 M

HCI(aq) according to the method described in Procedure III

a, a temperature increase of 13.0 degree Celsius is

observed. What is ∆H rxn at room temperature for the reaction

of Ca(s) + 2H+(aq)?

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 b) When 1.12g of CaO is added to 200-mL of 0.500 M HCI(aq)

according to the method described in Procedure III b, a

temperature increase of 4.62 degree Celsius is observed.

What is ∆H rxn at room temperature for the reaction of

CaO(s) + 2H?

2. A student carelessly inserts the thermometer while assembling the

calorimeter and a large hole is torn in the plastic lid. How

will this affect his experimental results?

Summary:

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