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Practical 3 - Thermochemistry

Part 1: To find the enthalpy change for the reaction

For a reaction in solution,

Energy change = mass of solution x heat capacity x temperature change

Q (J) = m (g) x c (J g-1K-1) x T (K)

This equation will only give the energy for the actual quantities used.
This value is converted into the energy change per mole of one of the reactants. (The
enthalpy change of reaction, Hr)

Introduction
Zinc reacts with aqueous copper (II) sulphate as shown by the following equation

Zn(s) + CuSO4(aq) ZnSO4(aq) + Cu(s)

Materials Required:

Beakers
Stopwatch
Thermometer
Measuring cylinder
2.50g of zinc powder
50 cm3 of 0.50 moldm-3 aqueous copper(II)sulphate

Procedure
1. Weigh out 2.5g of Zinc powder.
2. Using a measuring cylinder transfer 50 cm3 of 0.50 moldm-3 aqueous
copper(II)sulphate solution into a polystyrene cup, firmly held in a 250cm3 beaker.
3. Stir the solution with the thermometer and record the temperature to the nearest
0.5oC.
4. Continue to stir the solution, recording its temperature every minute.
5. At exactly fourth minutes, add the zinc powder to the aqueous copper(II)sulphate
stirring continuously.
6. Record the temperature of the solution every minute from 4.0 to 9.0 minutes.

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The temperature readings obtained are shown below. [2]

Time/min
Temperature /oC

(a) (i) Plot a graph of temperature against time. [3]

(ii) Draw a line of best fit for the points before the fourth minute and a second line for
the points after the fourth minute. Extrapolate both lines to the fourth minute, and
hence determine the temperature rise which would have occurred at the fourth
minute. [3]
Temperature rise from graph after extrapolation ................... oC

(iii) Use the graph to calculate the maximum temperature change, T. [1]

(b) (i) Use the value you obtained for T, to calculate the heat energy produced in the
reaction between zinc and copper(II)sulphate. Include units with your answer. [2]
(Assume the specific heat capacity of the solution to be 4.2 jg-1℃ and the density
of the solution to be 1.00 g cm-3).
(ii) Calculate the number of moles of copper(II)sulphate in 50.0 cm 3 of 0.50 moldm-3
solution. [1]
(iii) Calculate the enthalpy change, T, for this reaction. Your answer should be in
units of kJmol-1, expressed to three significant figures and include a unit and sign.
[3]
(c) Identify ONE source of error in this experiment and suggest an improvement to
minimise this error. [2]

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Part II: Determination of enthalpy change of reaction using Hess’s law

Materials needed:
Safety:
• 2 moldm-3 dilute hydrochloric acid
• Wear eye protection
• Solid potassium carbonate
• Avoid skin contact with the reactants
• Solid potassium hydrogen carbonate
and products
• Polystyrene cup
• Thermometer
• 2 test tubes
• 250cm3 beaker
• Mass balance
• Burette, clamp and stand
• Stirring rod
• Spatula
Procedure
1. Place approximately 2.5 g of solid potassium carbonate in a test tube.
Accurately weigh the test tube and its contents.
2. Use a burette to dispense 30cm3 of 2 moldm-3 hydrochloric acid in to a polystyrene
cup, which is supported in a beaker.
3. Measure the temperature of the acid
4. Gradually add potassium carbonate to the acid, stirring all the time and monitoring
the temperature of the acid.
5. Reweigh the empty testube
6. Repeat steps 1-5 using approximately 3g of potassium hydrogen carbonate instead
of potassium carbonate. This time, record the lowest temperature reached.

Results
Reaction 1: reaction between potassium carbonate and hydrochloric acid

Mass of potassium carbonate used/g

Start temperature /℃

Highest temperature /℃

Temperature change /℃
[2]

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Reaction 2: reaction between potassium hydrogen carbonate and hydrochloric acid

Mass of potassium hydrogen carbonate used/g

Start temperature /℃

Lowest temperature /℃

Temperature change /℃

[2]
Analysis of results:
1. Write balanced equations for
[2]
(i) Reaction 1: reaction between potassium carbonate and hydrochloric acid

(ii) Reaction 2: reaction between potassium hydrogen carbonate and

hydrochloric acid.

2. Calculate the energy change for each reaction in J. [4]

(The specific heat capacity of water is 4.2 jg-1℃)

3. Calculate the enthalpy change,∆H, for each reaction in kJmol-1. [2]

Assume that the hydrochloric acid is in excess.

4. Use your results to calculate the enthalpy change for the thermal decomposition of
potassium hydrogen carbonate [4]

Reaction 3: 2KHCO3(s) → K2CO3(s) + CO2(g) + H2O(l)

5. Why is it not possible to measure the enthalpy change for the decomposition
potassium hydrogen carbonate directly? [1]

6. Explain why reactions are conducted in a polystyrene cup rather than a glass beaker.
[1]

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Post lab task

This question is about methanol and the energy changes that accompany some of its
reactions.

Hess cycle can be used to calculate the standard enthalpy change of combustion of
methanol, using standard enthalpy changes of formation.

(a) Write an equation for the standard enthalpy change of combustion of methanol,
CH3OH. [1]

(b) Define the term standard enthalpy change of formation of a compound, making
clear the meaning of standard in this context. [3]

(c) (i) Construct a Hess cycle between the reactants, products and the formation of
reactants and products. [3]
(ii) Use your cycle and the data below to calculate the standard enthalpy change of
combustion of methanol, ΔHc○. Include a sign and units in your answer. [2]

(d) An experiment was carried out, using the apparatus below, to estimate the standard
enthalpy change of combustion of methanol.

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After burning the methanol for a few minutes, the temperature of water in the beaker
had risen by 20.7 °C and the mass of methanol burnt was 0.848 g.
(i) Calculate the amount of energy transferred to the water. [1]
(ii) Calculate the number of moles of methanol, CH3OH, burnt during the experiment.[1]
(iii) Use your answers to (c)(i) and (ii) to calculate the experimental value for the
standard enthalpy change of combustion. Include a sign and units in your answer,
which should be given to three significant figures. [1]
(iv) Compare your answers to (c)(ii) and (d)(iii) and give TWO reasons to explain any
differences. [2]
(v) Draw an energy level diagram for combustion of methanol. [2]

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CHE113 – Practical 3 Term 2, 2024