Determining the Enthalpy of a Neutralization Reaction Lab Report

Introduction For this lab, we investigated the enthalpy change of a neutralization reaction. We calculated the amount of energy released/absorbed when an acid and a base neutralize inside of a calorimeter. As well, using the results of hot water and cold water poured together in the calorimeter, we found the heat capacity of the calorimeter. Materials 25 mL Hydrochloric acid 25 mL Potassium Hydroxide Beaker Calorimeter Water Hot Plate Beaker Graduated Cylinder

Procedure 1. Materials were gathered and safety goggles were put on. 2. An equal amount of the acid and base were measured out, and their temperatures were noted. 3. The acid was put into the calorimeter first. 4. The base was poured into the calorimeter. 5. The final temperature reached was recorded. 6. The resulting solution was poured out, and the calorimeter cleaned. 7. 50mL of room temperature water was measured out, the temperature was noted. 8. 40mL of water was measured out. 9. The heat plate was turned on, and the 40mL of water was put onto it. 10. The room temperature water was poured into the calorimeter. 11. When the 40mL of water reached 70 degrees Celsius, it was poured into the calorimeter. 12. Final temperature of the water was noted. 13. Water poured out, all materials cleaned, hot plate turned off.

Volume

Mass

Initial temperature 25 g 25 g 50 g 40 g 22C 25C 70C

Final temperature

NaOH(aq) HCl(aq) Water (cold) Water (hot)

25mL 25mL 50mL 40mL

25C

41C

Analysis 1. Heat absorbed by the solution in the calorimeter. T= tf -ti = 25C 22C msolution= 25ml + 25ml = 50 ml = 50 g c = 4.184 J/g. C Q=mcT =50g x 4.184 J/g. C x (25C 22C) =627.15 J = 0.62715 kJ absorbed by the calorimeter.

2. Number of moles of HCl(aq) and NaOH(aq) that were involved in the reaction. HCl NaOH n=cv n=cv n= 0.025 L x 1 mol/L n= 0.025 L x 1 mol/L n=0.025mol of HCl(aq) n=0.025mol of NaOH(aq) 3. Enthalpy of reaction. Q/n = H 627.15 kJ/ 0.025 mols = 25.086 kJ/mol H= 25.086 kJ/mol Acid + Base H2O (aq) + salt HCl(aq) + NaOH(aq) H2O (aq) +NaCl(s)
(water) (salt)

4. Exothermic or endothermic? -Qreaction=Qsolution -Qreaction=0.63kJ Qreaction= - 0.63 kJ

Neutralization reactions are typically exothermic, which means that the reaction gives off heat energy. Such is the instance in the example presented within this lab. The energy used to break the bonds is less than the energy released when the bonds are formed, so the temperature of the system is increased. As a result, H is negative 5. Thermochemical Equation HCl(aq) + NaOH(aq) H2O (l) +NaCl(aq)

Hf = - 25.1 Kj/mol

7. Given: Strong base + Strong acid= -57.3 kJ/mol In this experiment, the enthalpy change was less than half the amount given. Therefore, a smaller amount of energy was released to the surroundings in the reaction. Theoretically, the neutralization should of caused a higher increase in temperature than what our experiment showed. 8. There are a few sources of error in this experiment. First of all, we could of taken the temperatures a bit off, as the angle that you look at the thermometer affects what is shown. As well, we could of accidentally lost heat if there was a leak. Thirdly, it could also be possible that we measured out the amounts of acid and base wrong, thus causing the discrepancy in the data. 9. I believe adding solid pellets of sodium hydroxide would have lowered the change of enthalpy. My reasoning is that it would take more energy on the reactant side of the equation to break down the bonds in the NaOH compared to it being in a liquid state. The energy released would still stay the same, but because more energy was used up, a lower increase in energy/temperature would occur. 10. Setting up energy conservation equation (mcT )hot water + (mcT)cold water +( CT)calorimeter =0 [40g x 4.184 J/g. C x (41C 70C)]+[50g x 4.184 J/g.C x (41C-22C)]+[C (41C-19C)] Ccalorimeter=46.8 J/C 11. Q/n = H *627.15 kJ +( CT)calorimeter +/ 0.025 mols =H [627.15 kJ + 46.8 J/C (41C-19C)+/ 0.025 mols =H H= 60.7 kJ/mol Hrxn =-60.7kJ/mol This result is much more reasonable.