Name:__________________

Hess Law Lab

Prelab: In this experiment, you will measure the enthalpy of reaction

for three reactions:

a) NaOH(s) NaOH(aq)

b) NaOH(aq) + HCl(aq) NaCl(aq) + H2O(l)

c) NaOH(s) + HCl(aq) NaCl(aq) + H2O(l)

Please note that the first two equations add to give the third equation.

Purpose: The enthalpy of reaction for the third reaction mentioned

above will be compared to the sum of the enthalpies of reaction for the
first two reactions.

Apparatus and Materials:

3-4 Styrofoam Cups Forceps
Thermometer Stirring Rod
Graduated Cylinder NaOH pellets
Beaker 0.50M HCl

Procedure:
Part A
1. Weigh two of the nested styrofoam cups
2. Add approximately 1.00 g of NaOH pellets to the cup and weigh
again. Do not handle the pellets. They are quite harmful to your skin
and can cause burns.
3. Measure 50.0 mL of water into a graduated cylinder. Measure its
temperature to the nearest tenth of a degree.
4. Carefully add the water to the styrofoam cups. Stir until all of the
NaOH has dissolved. Record the highest temperature achieved.
5. Weigh the cups again. Save the solution for Part B.

Part B:
1. Pour 50.0 mL of HCl into the graduated cylinder. Measure its
temperature.
2. Measure the initial temperature of the NaOH solution.
3. Combine the solutions. Record the highest temperature reached.
4. Weigh the cups again.

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Part C:
1. Weigh two styrofoam cups. Place 1.00g NaOH pellets in the
styrofoam cups. Weigh them again.
2. Place 50.0 mL of 0.50M HCl in a graduated cylinder. Add 50.0 mL
water. Record the temperature of the solution.
3. Pour the HCl solution into the styrofoam cup. Measure the highest
temperature achieved. Weigh the cups again.

Data Table:
Part A

Mass of Cups: __________

Mass of cups plus sodium hydroxide: __________

Initial Temperature: __________

Final Temperature: __________

Final Mass of cups and solutions: __________

Part B

Initial Temperature of HCl __________

Initial Temperature of NaOH solution: __________

Final Temperature of solutions: __________

Final Mass of cups and solutions: __________

Part C

Mass of Cups: __________

Mass of Cups plus NaOH pellets: __________

Initial Temperature of HCl solution: __________

Final Temperature of solutions: __________

Final Mass of Solutions: __________

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Conclusions:
1. Calculate the heat of reaction for each of the three parts. Note that
since you used the NaOH that you made in Part A for the reaction in
Part B, you will use some of the data from part A in your
calculations in Part B.
Part A

Part B

Part C

2. What is the per cent difference between the sum of parts A and B
and the enthalpy for Part C? Show your calculations.

(H A H B ) H C
%difference 100%
H C

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