Purpose: In this lab, I will explore Hess's Law by using calorimetry to measure the enthalpy of
neutralization for the reaction between sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid.
Part 1
Mass of H2O (g) 50.0 g
Mass of NaOH pellets (g) 1.02 g
Initial temperature (oC) 21.2oC
Final temperature (oC) 25.9oC
Temperature change (oC) 4.7oC
Part 2
Approximate mass of 50.0 mL NaOH (aq) + 100.0 mL
50.0 mL HCl (aq)
Initial temperature (oC) 21.2oC
Final temperature (oC) 24.7oC
Temperature change (oC) 3.5oC
Part 3
Approximate mass of HCl (aq) 104.97 g
Mass of NaOH pellets 1.03 g
Initial temperature (oC) 21.0oC
Final temperature (oC) 26.5oC
Temperature change (oC) 5.5oC
Calculations
1. For part 1, find the ΔH1 of this reaction, show work.
NaOH(s) → NaOH (aq)
Mass of H2O = 50.0 g
Mass of NaOH pellets = 1.02 g
T= 4.7oC
c = 4.18 J/g°C
q=50.0 g x 4.18 J/g°C x 4.7°C
= 982.3 J
Mol NaOH = (1.02 g)/(39.997 g/mol) = 0.0255 mol
ΔH1 = 983.3 J/ 0.0255 mol = 38560.79 J/mol
= 38.6 kJ/mol
2. For part 2, find the ΔH2 of this reaction, show work.
HCl(aq) + NaOH(aq) → NaCl(aq) + H2O(l)
Combined mass = 100.0 g
T= 3.5°C
c= 4.18 J/g°C
q= 100.0 g x 4.18 J/g°C x 3.5°C
= 1463 J
Mol of NaOH (50.0 mL x 1.00 mol/L)/ 1000 = 0.0500 mol
ΔH2 = 1463 J/ 0.0500 mol = 29260 J/mol
= 29.3 kJ/mol
3. For part 3, find the ΔH3 of the overall reaction
HCl(aq) + NaOH(s) → NaCl(aq) + H2O(l)
Mass of solution = 104.97 g
Mass of NaOH pellets = 1.03 g
T = 5.5°C
c= 4.18 J/g°C
q= 104.97 g x 4.18 J/g°C x 5.5°C
= 2412 J
Mol of NaOH = 2412 J/0.0258 mol = 0.0258 Mol
ΔH3 = 2412 J/ 0.0258 Mol = 93411 J/mol
= 93.4 kJ/mol
4. Find ΔH3 of the reaction. Next compare this to the sum of parts 1 and 2 by using Hess’ Law.
Show your work.
Hess’ law: ΔH3 = ΔH1 + ΔH2
Sum of ΔH1 and ΔH2: 38.6 kJ/mol + 29.3 kJ/mol = 67.9 kJ/mol
ΔH3 = 93.4 kJ/mol
This means there are differences in experimental values, there are errors.
5. Find the percent error for ΔH1 and ΔH2 in comparison to ΔH3
% error = (((93.4 kJ/mol) - ((38.6 kJ/mol) + (29.3 kJ/mol))) / (93.4 kJ/mol)) x 100
= 5.89%
Questions
1. Did you prove or disprove Hess' Law of Heat Summation? Explain
Hess's Law was not entirely confirmed based on the lab data because the ΔH3 = 93.4
kJ/mol did not equal the sum of ΔH1 + ΔH2 which is 67.9 kJ/mol. The error percentage was
5.89%. This disparity makes me believe that experimental problems like inaccurate temperature
readings or heat loss to the outside can be the reason for the discrepancy. Although the results
are consistent with the idea of Hess's Law, an exact match was not possible due to
experimental conditions.
2. How does this experiment illustrate the Law of Conservation of Energy?
This experiment shows the Law of Conservation of Energy by showing that the total
energy change in a reaction is constant, regardless of the steps. The energy released or
absorbed during a reaction (measured as ΔH) starts from the system and is then transferred to
the surroundings as heat. The discrepancy observed is due to the imperfect environment
surrounding the system (heat lost to the environment), but the underlying principle remains
proven to the furthest extent it can be.
3. Critique the calorimeter we used. What further improvements might help reduce your
percent error?
The calorimeter used in the experiment most likely had significant heat loss because of
the surroundings and may not have perfectly insulated the reaction. Additional sources of error
can include inaccurate temperature readings due to delayed heat transfer between the solution
and the thermometer. We could use a more advanced calorimeter with better insulation. Ensure
that the calorimeter lid fits tightly to minimize heat exchange with the environment. Minimize
time between mixing reactants and recording temperature changes to reduce heat loss.
