EXPERIMENT 1 : CALORIMETER HESSS LAW

INTRODUCTION
The purpose of the experiment was to prove Hess Law through the use of
calorimeter and to determine the standard enthalpy of formation of
magnesium oxide through the use of the reactants magnesium,
magnesium oxide and hydrochloric acid.
Calorimeter is a deviced used to measure the enthalpy change of a
chemical reaction. In the experiment, the enthalpy was measured from
the specific heat or heat capacity of a substance. Hess Law states that
the value of enthalpy change in any reaction can be written in steps which
equal the sum of the values for each of these individual steps. This
essentially means that the enthalpy change of any reaction can be
determined using a series of other reaction containing the same products
and reactants
To prove Hess Law, the enthalpy change was determined for reactions of
hydrochloric acid with magnesium and magnesium oxide respectively. In
order to do this, several steps were followed. The basis of the
experiments procedure was the combination of hydrochloric acid and
magnesium in a calorimeter. The enthalpy change was then recorded. This
process was repeated for the reactants hydrochloric acid and magnesium
oxide. These reactions are shown by the following equations:
MgO + 2HCl MgCl2 + H2O
Mg + 2HCl
H2 + O2

MgCl2+ H2

H2O

The changes in temperature were recorded. The enthalpy change was

then determined using the formula: H = mcT
n
OBJECTIVE
1. To determine the heat capacity of a calorimeter.
2. To determine the standard enthalpy of formation of magnesium
oxide, Hf.
CHEMICALS
1. 2.0 M Hydrochloric Acid (HCL)
2. Magnesium Oxide powder
3. Magnesium powder

APPARATUS
1.
2.
3.
4.

Thermometer (2)
Polystyrene cup with cover
100 mL beaker
100 mL graduated cylinder

RESULTS
A) Heat Capacity of Calorimeter
Temperature of hot water: 65C
Temperature of cold water (before mixed with hot water)
Time (Minute)

Temperature (C)

1.00
2.00

24
24

3.00

24

4.00

24

Temperature of Cold + Hot water (after mixed together)

Time
Minute

Seconds

Temperature
(C)

1st Minute

15.00

42

30.00

42

45.00

42

60.00

42

15.00

42

30.00

42

45.00

42

60.00

41

15.00

41

30.00

41

45.00

41

60.00

41

2nd Minute

3rd Minute

B) Reaction 2: Magnesium with Hydrochloric Acid

Mass of Magnesium powder: 1.08 g
Temperature of Hydrochloric Acid
Magnesium powder, Mg)

(HCL)

(before

Time (Minute)

Temperature (C)

1.00
2.00

25
25

3.00
4.00

25
25

Temperature of HCL + Mg (after mixed together)

Time

Temperature (C)

Minute

Seconds

1st Minute

15.00

74

30.00

74

45.00

74

60.00

73

15.00

73

30.00

73

45.00

72

60.00

71

15.00

71

30.00

70

45.00

70

60.00

69

2nd Minute

3rd Minute

mixed

with

C) Reaction 3: Magnesium Oxide with Hydrochloric Acid

Mass of Magnesium Oxide: 1.70 g
Temperature of Hydrochloric Acid
Magnesium Oxide powder, MgO)

HCL

(before

Time (Minute)

Temperature (C)

1.00

26

2.00

26

3.00

26

4.00

26

Temperature of HCL + MgO (after mixed together)

Time

Temperature (C)

Minute

Seconds

1st Minute

15.00

50

30.00

51

45.00

52

60.00

52

15.00

52

30.00

53

45.00

53

60.00

52

15.00

52

30.00

51

45.00

51

60.00

51

2nd Minute

3rd Minute

CALCULATIONS

mixed

with

a) Tabulate all your results

Have stated in the results above
b) 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 minutes corresponds to the corrected temperature change
Refer to graph of reaction 1, 2 and 3.
c) Calculate the heat capacity of the calorimeter

d) Calculate the heat reactions 2 and 3 in kJ/mol. You will need to find out
the moles of the reactants involved in the reactions.

e) Show how reaction 2, 3 and 4 can be added to produce reaction 1

f) Show how the heat of reaction (kJ/mol) value for the reactions 2,3 and
4 can be added to yield the heat of reaction for reaction 1

g) Consult the literate 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 results.
The accepted value based on literature for the heat of reaction of magnesium
oxide is-601.8 kJ/mol

% error = Theoretical Actual

Theoretical

x 100

DISCUSSION
Through the experiments, we have calculated the value of heat capacity
of the calorimeter by measuring the temperature change when equal
amount of hot water and cold water was added to the calorimeter which
results 58.0556 J/0C. The heat of reaction 2 between Magnesium with
Hydrochloric

Acid

was

also

calculated

(91.5499

kJ/mol)

and

the

temperature in this reaction was decreases showing that the heat was
absorbed which is endothermic reaction had occur. Besides, reaction 3
between Magnesium Oxide and Hydrochloric Acid show temperature rises

indicating the heat was released and exothermic reaction had occur. The
heat reaction of reaction 3 calculated is -49.9375 kJ/mol.
Hesss Law have proved that the value of enthalpy change in any reaction
can be written in steps which equal the sum of the values for each of
these individual steps where total of heat of reaction in reaction 2, 3 and 4
can be added to obtain heat of reaction 1 (-244.1876 kJ/mol). By referring
to the literature studied, the heat of reaction of magnesium oxide is
-601.8 kJ/mol where a result shows 59.42% of percent error was calculated
from our result.
The higher percentage error obtained was maybe due to several error
such as the reactant such as magnesium and magnesium oxide powder
was not completely transferred as some of them was still stick in the
bottom of the beaker and may also escaped into the air in the form of
dust. Besides, some of heat may have transferred to the air in the
Styrofoam cup hence not all the energy was released and results in higher
percentage error in experimental results. The Styrofoam cup may also
have bigger holes for thermometer reading as the heat can be escaped
through the big spaces during measuring the temperature.
To minimize these errors various precautions should be taken. For
example, the container should be completely dried to ensure all the
magnesium and magnesium oxide powder was completely transferred to
the HCl solution and three consecutive of weighing samples should be
carried out to eliminate the errors of the handlers. Besides, use better
equipment such as digital thermometer and true calorimeter. Because
heat is more likely to escape through the system in Styrofoam cup than a
true calorimeter.

QUESTIONS

1.
For the following problems, assume that the volume of the final
solution is 200 cm3,
the density of the solution is 1.00 g mL -1 and the
heat capacity of the solution is the same as water (4.184 J g-1 0C).
a)
When 0.800 g of Ca metal is added to 200 cm 3 of 0.500 M HCL (aq)
according to the method described in Procedure b, a temperature
increase of 13.0 0C is observed.
What is H at room temperature
rxn

for the reaction of Ca(s) + 2H (aq)?

b)
When 1.12 g of CaO is added to 200 cm3 of 0.500 M HCl (aq)
according to the method described in Procedure b, a temperature

increase of 4.62 oC is observed.

for the reaction of CaO (s) + 2H+ ?

What is

H at room temperature
rxn

2.
A students carelessly inserts the thermometer while assembling the
calorimeter and a large
hole is torn in the plastic lid. How will this
affect his experimental results?
His experimental results will be inaccurate as the heat was escaped
through the large hole in the plastic lid hence increasing the percent of
error during conducting the experiment. The heat produce from the
reaction will not being contained in the Styrofoam cup and measured by
the thermometer as the heat was loss to the surrounding through the
large hole.

CONCLUSION
The heat capacity of a calorimeter is 58.0556 J/ 0C. Meanwhile, the
standard enthalpy of formation of magnesium oxide, H0f is 244.1876
kJ/mol.

REFERENCE
(2013),
Table
of
Heats
of
Formation,
Retrieved
from
http://chemistry.about.com/od/thermodynamics/a/Heats-Of-Formation.htm
(2004), Calorimetry 1: The Enthalpy of Formation of MgO, Chemistry Lab :
Darkmouth
College,
Retrieved
from
http://www.dartmouth.edu/~chemlab/chem3-5/calor1/full_text/writeup.html
Churala , (2013) , CALORIMETRY AND HESSS LAW, Retrieved from
http://www.scribd.com/doc/236674646/Calorimetry-and-Hess-Law
L. Weinert (2013), Hess Law, Retrieved 2013, 16 November from
http://www.scribd.com/doc/193515604/Hess-Law-Lab
P. Sharifi, (n.d), Determining the Validity of Hess Law through Calorimetry,
Retrieved from http://www.scribd.com/doc/109774297/Hess-s-Law-Lab
R. Lepage, (n.d), Calorimeter,
http://www.answers.com/Q/A

Retrieved

2013,

August

from

DISCUSSION
Through the experiments, we have calculated the value of heat capacity
of the calorimeter by measuring the temperature change when equal
amount of hot water and cold water was added to the calorimeter which
results 58.0556 J/0C. The heat of reaction 2 between Magnesium with
Hydrochloric

Acid

was

also

calculated

(91.5499

kJ/mol)

and

the

temperature in this reaction was decreases showing that the heat was
absorbed which is endothermic reaction had occur. Besides, reaction 3
between Magnesium Oxide and Hydrochloric Acid show temperature rises
indicating the heat was released and exothermic reaction had occur. The
heat reaction of reaction 3 calculated is -49.9375 kJ/mol.
Hesss Law have proved that the value of enthalpy change in any reaction
can be written in steps which equal the sum of the values for each of
these individual steps where total of heat of reaction in reaction 2, 3 and 4
can be added to obtain heat of reaction 1 (-244.1876 kJ/mol). By referring
to the literature studied, the heat of reaction of magnesium oxide is
-601.8 kJ/mol where a result shows 59.42% of percent error was calculated
from our result.
The higher percentage error obtained was maybe due to several error
such as the reactant such as magnesium and magnesium oxide powder
was not completely transferred as some of them was still stick in the
bottom of the beaker and may also escaped into the air in the form of
dust. Besides, some of heat may have transferred to the air in the
Styrofoam cup hence not all the energy was released and results in higher
percentage error in experimental results. The Styrofoam cup may also
have bigger holes for thermometer reading as the heat can be escaped
through the big spaces during measuring the temperature.

To minimize these errors various precautions should be taken. For

example, the container should be completely dried to ensure all the
magnesium and magnesium oxide powder was completely transferred to
the HCl solution and three consecutive of weighing samples should be
carried out to eliminate the errors of the handlers. Besides, use better
equipment such as digital thermometer and true calorimeter. Because
heat is more likely to escape through the system in Styrofoam cup than a
true calorimeter.