EXPERIMENT 1 CALORIMETRY: HESS’S LAW
Objectives
(a) To compare the heat capacities of a coffee cup calorimeter and a copper
calorimeter.
(b) To determine the standard enthalpy of formation of magnesium oxide, Hof
Introduction:
The heat of reaction for a given reaction, measured in kJ mol-1, can be calculated from
the values for other reactions. This is done by making use of Hess’s Law. According to
this law, it is permissible to write the stoichiometric equations together with the enthalpy
changes and to treat them as mathematical equations where by the algebraic sums of
the reactions are obtained.
In this experiment you will determine the standard enthalpy (heat) of formation of
magnesium oxide. The equation for the formation of magnesium oxide is:
Mg(s) + ½O2(g) MgO(s) (1)
By considering the algebraic sum of the following reactions.
Mg(s) + 2HCl(aq) MgCl2(aq) + H2(g) (2)
MgO(s) + 2HCl(aq) MgCl2(aq) + H2O(l) (3)
H2(g) + ½O2(g) H2O(l) (4)
The heat of reactions for Reactions (2) and (3) will be obtained experimentally and for
the Reaction (4), the heat of formation can be obtained from the literature.
The heat capacity of a calorimeter can be obtained by measuring the temperature
change when a known weight of hot water is added to a known amount of cold water in
the calorimeter.
qhot = qcold + qcal
qhot = mhc(Th – Tf) = heat lost by hot water
qcold = mcc(Tf – Tc) = heat gained by cold water
qcal = Ccal (Tf – Tc) = heat gained by calorimeter
where c = specific heat for water = 4.18 J g-1 oC-1
Ccal = heat capacity of the calorimeter
Th = temperature of hot water
Tc = temperature of cold water
Tf = final temperature after mixing
m = mass of water (hot or cold)
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(Note that the general form to calculate heat is q = mcT. The heat of reaction is usually
expressed in kJ mol-1 i.e H = q/n where n is the number of moles of the reactant)
Apparatus:
1. Thermometer (2)
2. Styrofoam cup with cardboard cover lid (2)
3. Copper calorimeter with insulating cover (1)
4. 100 cm3 beaker
5. 100 cm3 graduated cylinder
Chemicals:
1. 2.0 M hydrochloric acid
2. Magnesium oxide powder
3. Magnesium powder
PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
Wear appropriate PPE : goggles, lab coat, proper shoes
Procedure
The experiment is performed at standard conditions (atmospheric pressure and 25C).
All experiments are done in a ‘double’ styrofoam cup (coffee cup) calorimeter and
copper calorimeter.
Thermometer Stirrer
Cardboard
Insulating cover
cover lid
Styrofoam cup
Copper vessel
Water
Felt Pad
(a) (b)
Figure 1.1 (a) Double Styrofoam cup calorimeter and (b) copper calorimeter
A. Heat capacity of calorimeter
Make sure the double nested styrofoam cups are clean and dry.
1. Use a burette to deliver exactly 50 cm3 of tap water into the calorimeter. Replace
the cover and the thermometer. Record the water temperature for four minutes
at one minute intervals.
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2. Measure 50 cm3 of hot water (40 – 50 C above the room temperature) using a
graduated cylinder and pour into a beaker. Using another thermometer, quickly
record the temperature of the hot water and pour it completely into the
calorimeter (containing the cold water) at the fifth minute. Replace the lid and
carefully stir the water with the thermometer. Record the temperature every 15
seconds for the next 3 minutes.
3. Repeat steps (1) and (2) using the copper calorimeter.
(Note for Instructor: Divide students into 2 groups – one group will use coffee cup and
the other group will use copper calorimeter for the following part B and C)
B. Reaction 2: Magnesium with Hydrochloric Acid
1. Weigh between 1.0 – 1.1 g of magnesium powder. Record the exact weight
used.
2. Drain 50 cm3 of 2 M HCl from a burette into the calorimeter. Replace the cover
and thermometer. Record the temperature of the HCl every minute for four
minutes. At the fifth minute, quickly pour the magnesium powder into the HCl.
Replace the lid and carefully stir the contents in the calorimeter with the
thermometer. Record the temperature for the next 3 minutes at 15 seconds
intervals.
C. Reaction 3: Magnesium oxide with Hydrochloric Acid
1. Weigh between 1.6 – 1.8 g of magnesium oxide. Record the exact weight used.
2. Repeat step (2) in (B)
D. Reaction 4: Hydrogen gas with Oxygen gas
For safety reasons, this value will not be experimentally determined in the
laboratory. It has been professionally determined and verified and the value is
listed in standard reference sources. Your assignment is to find the value, in
kilojoules per mole (kJ/mol)
Results and Discussion
Tmax Decreasing slope due to heat loss
to calorimeter
ΔT
Ti
Mixing time
0 5 Time (min)
Figure. 1.2 Extrapolation of temperature vs time for an exothermic process
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1. Tabulate all your results.
2. Make necessary temperature-time plots to obtain the corrected temperature change.
Extrapolate the straight line portions of the graph to the fifth minute. The difference
between the temperatures at the fifth minute corresponds to the corrected
temperature change. (Refer Fig. 1.2)
3. Calculate the heat capacity of both calorimeters. Compare the values and explain
whether you would expect to get the same or different temperature change, (ΔT)
4. Calculate the heats of reaction for reactions 2 and 3 in kJ mol1. You will need to
find out the moles of reactants involved in the reactions.
5. Show how chemical equations 2, 3, and 4 can be added to produce chemical
equation 1 (refer equations under introduction on page 2)
6. Show how the heats of reaction (kJ mol1 value) for reactions 2, 3, and 4 can be
added to yield the heat of reaction for reaction 1.
7. Consult the literature to obtain the accepted value for the heat of formation of
magnesium oxide. Calculate the percent error and discuss the factors that may
have affected your result. Compare the result you obtain with those from other
group using the other type of calorimeter. Discuss the factors that may have lead to
the difference in values.
Questions
1. a) Which of the two calorimeters: coffee cup calorimeter or copper calorimeter has
a higher specific heat capacity?
b) What conclusion can you make regarding the relationship of heat capacity of
calorimeter with temperature change of the reactions?
2. For the following problems, assume that the volume of the final solution is 200 cm3,
the density of the solution is 1.00 g mL1 and the heat capacity of the solution is the
same as water (4.184 J g1 C).
a) When 0.800 g of Ca metal is added to 200 cm3 of 0.500 M HCI(aq) according to
the method described in Procedure B, a temperature increase of 13.0C is
observed. What is Hrxn at room temperature for the reaction of Ca(s) +
2H+(aq)?
b) When 1.12 g of CaO is added to 200 cm3 of 0.500 M HCI(aq) according to the
method described in Procedure B, a temperature increase of 4.62C is
observed. What is Hrxn at room temperature for the reaction of CaO(s) + 2H+?
3. A student carelessly inserts the thermometer while assembling the coffee cup
calorimeter and a large hole is torn in the plastic lid. How will this affect his
experimental results?
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Experiment 1: Hess’s Law
1. Pre laboratory preparation:
All the pre laboratory calculations and experimental flowcharts must be clearly
presented in this sheet.
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2. Data sheet for Experiment 1
Temp. of hot water (C)
Mass of Mg (g)
Mass of MgO (g)
Coffee cup Copper Mg and HCl MgO and HCl
Calorimeter Calorimeter
Time T (C) Time T (C) Time T (C) Time T (C)
Lecturer’s / Instructor’s signature:
Date:
