SCH4UI Investigation 5.4.

1 ~ Hesss Law
Name:_______________
Date:_______________ Student Worksheet

Experimental Design
In this investigation, you will determine the molar enthalpy of reaction for three
exothermic reactions involving sodium hydroxide using a coffee-cup calorimeter and
apply Hesss Law appropriately using the following thermochemical equations for the
reactions studied:
Reaction 1: Energy released when 1mol of NaOH(s) dissolves in water
NaOH(s) Na 1+(aq) + OH1-(aq)
H1 = x kJ
Reaction 2: Energy released when 1mol of NaOH(s) dissolves in water, plus the energy
released when
1mol of OH1-(aq) combines with 1mol of H1+(aq) to form water
NaOH(s) + H1+(aq) + Cl1-(aq) H2O(l) + Na1+(aq) + Cl1-(aq)
H2 = y kJ
Reaction 3: Energy released when 1mol of H1+(aq) combines with 1mol of OH1-(aq) to
form water
Na1+(aq) + OH1-(aq) + H1+(aq) + Cl1-(aq) H2O(l) + Na1+(aq) + Cl1-
(aq) H3 = z kJ
Based on heats of reaction, Hesss Law will be applied and the reactions will be summed
to determine the target reaction.
Purpose
To determine the molar enthalpy of a neutralization reaction & apply Hesss Law.
Prediction
Sum 2 of the above thermochemical equations to predict the target (3rd) equation. The target is the
neutralization reaction of sodium hydroxide pellets in hydrochloric acid solution.

RXN 1: NaOH(s) Na1+(aq) + OH1-(aq)

H1 = x kJ
+
RXN 3: Na1+(aq) + OH1-(aq) + H1+(aq) + Cl1-(aq) H2O(l) + Na1+(aq) + Cl1-(aq)
H3 = z kJ
RXN 2: NaOH(s) + H1+(aq) + Cl1-(aq) H2O(l) + Na1+(aq) + Cl1-(aq)
H2 = y kJ

Materials
Provide a complete list (note: record uncertainties for applicable quantitative equipment)

Beaker
 2 Graduated Cylinders (0.05ml)
Styrofoam cup calorimeter
Distilled Water
Sodium Hydroxide Pellets
Hydrochloric Acid

Procedure
1. Put on safety goggles. Review WHMIS labels ~ note: sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric
acid are corrosive.
2. Obtain and assemble a coffee-cup calorimeter.
Part A: Enthalpy Change for Reaction 1
3. Use the graduated cylinder to measure 150.0mL of water and add it to the calorimeter.
Record exact volume in table 1.
4. Using the thermometer, measure the initial temperature of the water. Remove
thermometer and dry it thoroughly. Record the initial temperature of the water in table 1.
5. Place a square piece of scrap weigh paper on the electronic balance and press tare to
rezero it. Measure about 4.0g of solid sodium hydroxide pellets. Record exact mass in
table 1.
6. Carefully transfer the pellets to the water in the calorimeter. Cover and stir contents.
Measure and record the maximum temperature of the water reached after mixing in
table 1.
7. Dispose of solution down drain and rinse calorimeter.
Part B: Enthalpy Change for Reaction 2
8. Repeat steps 3-4, but use 150.0mL of 1.0M hydrochloric acid (HCl(aq)) instead of water in
the calorimeter. Note, the temperature measured in this reaction is of the water in the
HCl(aq) solution.
9. Repeat steps 5-7.
Part C: Enthalpy Change for Reaction 3
10. Repeat steps 3-4, but use 75.0mL of 1.0M hydrochloric acid (HCl(aq)) instead of
water in the calorimeter. Note, the temperature measured is of the water in the HCl(aq).
11. Carefully measure 75.0mL of 1.0M sodium hydroxide solution (NaOH(aq)) into a
graduated cylinder and measure the initial temperature. Note, the temperature
measured is of the water in the NaOH (aq) solution.
12. Slowly add the NaOH (aq) to the acid solution in the calorimeter.
13. Cover and stir to mix contents. Measure and record the maximum temperature
reached. Note, the temperature measured is of the water after the two solutions react.

14. Obtain class data for the other 2 trials.

 Observations
Prepare proper data table(s) to record appropriate qualitative and quantitative data for three trials of each
reaction. (note: record uncertainties for applicable quantitative data in headings).

Table 1.

Reaction Trial mass of NaOH Volume of reactant(s) Initial Final

(+/- 0.01g) (+/- 0.5mL) Temperatur Temperatu
e re
(+/- 0.5) (+/- 0.5)
water
1: 1 4.00g 150.0ml 20.0 25.1
water
2 4.03g 150.0ml 20.0 34.0
water
3 4.00g 150.0ml 21.5 28.0
HCL
2: 1 4.01g 150.0ml 20.5 27.5
HCL
2 4.01g 150.0ml 23.0 40.0
HCL
3 4.00g 150.0ml 22.0 40.0
NaOH HCL
3: 1 75.0ml 75.0ml 20.5 25.9
NaOH HCL
2 75.0ml 75.0ml 23.0 29.0
NaOH HCL
3 75.0ml 75.0ml 21.5 27.0

Qualitative Observations
Before the experiments, Both hydrochloric acid and distilled water were clear liquids.
This remained constant even after the experiment.
The sodium hydroxide pellets were white pieces of solids
After reaction 1, the end product was a clear solution. This was same for all three of the
reactions

Analysis
Process the data collected by answering the following:
a) Were the changes endothermic or exothermic? Explain.
 All the reactions were exothermic because the temperature of the surrounding increased.
When the temperature of the surroundings increases, the temperature of the system
decreases.
-qsystem = +qsurroundings

b) For each trial, calculate the temperature change of the water, then calculate the molar
enthalpy
of neutralization for the base, sodium hydroxide. Show one sample calculation for
reaction 1, trial 1,
ensuring that you communicate using proper problem solving format: formula, sub-
in, solve.
Sample Calculation For reaction 1, trial 1
qsurroundings =? Givens
msurroundings =150ml = 150g
c = 4.18J/g*
T = 25.1-20.0
sub givens into:
qsurroundings =mcT
qsurroundings=(150.0g)(4.18J/g*)(25.1-20.0)
=3197.7J
The surroundings gained 3197.7J of thermal energy.
The system lost 3197.7J of thermal energy.

H1= -qsystem/nNaOH Givens

-qsystem=-3197.7J

nNaOH=mNaOH/MNaOH
nNaOH=0.1mol
Sub givens into:

H1= -qsystem/nNaOH
= (-3197.7 J)/(0.1mol)
=-31977.0 J/mol
The system lost -31977.0 J/mol of thermal energy.
c) For each reaction, calculate the average molar enthalpy of neutralization using the molar
enthalpies change calculated above.
d) Summarize the calculations in b) and c) for each reaction in a summary table.
e) Using Hess Law and your experimental values, arrange the known equations and their
enthalpies to yield the target reaction and the molar enthalpy of neutralization.

Table 2.

Reactio Tria Change in Molar Average Molar Enthalpy Values

n l temperature Enthalpy (J/mol)
() (J/mol)

1: 1 5.1 Sample Calculation:

(trial 1+trial 2+trial3)/3
=(-31977.0-87780.0-40755.0)/3
=-53504 J/mol

-31977.0

2 14.0 -87780.0

3 6.5 -40755.0

2: 1 7.0 -43890.0 -45980

2 7.0 -43890.0

3 8.0 -50160.0

3: 1 5.4 -1782.0 -1859

2 6.0 -1980.0

3 5.5 -1815.0
 RXN 1: NaOH(s) Na1+(aq) + OH1-(aq)
H1 = -53504 J/mol
+
RXN 3: Na1+(aq) + OH1-(aq) + H1+(aq) + Cl1-(aq) H2O(l) + Na1+(aq) + Cl1-(aq)
H3 = -1859 J/mol

RXN 2: NaOH(s) + H1+(aq) + Cl1-(aq) H2O(l) + Na1+(aq) + Cl1-(aq)

H2 = -55363 J/mol

Conclusion
See guidelines

The intention of this lab was to find the molar enthalpy value of the reaction between
sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid. In conclusion, the molar enthalpy of the
neutralization reaction that was calculated through Hesss law was -55363J/mol. This
conclusion is very inconclusive because the molar enthalpy determined experimentally
differed from the molar enthalpy calculated using Hesss law(refer to table 2.). This is
further proved by looking at the change in temperature calculations(refer to table 1)
where the observed temperatures are very different and contain multiple offsets. Due to
this inconclusiveness the hypothesis was inconclusive as well.

Evaluation
The accepted value for the standard molar enthalpy of neutralization for this target reaction is -102.0
kJ/mol. Calculate a percentage error by applying the formula below (show work), then comment on your
confidence in the data collected/results.
percentage error = measured experimental value accepted value x 100%
accepted value
=(-55363 J/mol-(-102000)) x 100%
(-102000)
=45.7%

Copy and complete the table below to thoroughly describe 2 limitations of this lab:

Describe the limitation or
flaw in the design
The unwanted flow of heat
from the system to
calorimeter to other parts
of the surroundings
How does this limitation
affect the data collected
&/or results
Creates flaws in the
temperature measured
after the change in
thermal energy. Thermal
energy could have
Suggest a specific way to
fix this limitation or
increase confidence in
data collected
This source of error can be
fixed by using a bomb
calorimeter where all the
energy is contained inside
 escaped and not be fully the calorimeter.
contained inside the
calorimeter.
Yet to fill