Ana Vazquez

Physics 173
Latent Heat of Fusion
Abstract
The purpose of this experiment was to determine the Latent heat of fusion of ice
as it melts to water. With respect to The Principle Of The Conservation of Energy, we
determined the Heat of Fusion (Hf) to be 72.2 Cal/g, with an experimental error of 9.5%.
Introduction:
By definition, Latent Heat of Fusion is the heat energy absorbed by a substance as
it changes its state from a solid to a liquid. Latent heat of fusion is expressed in joules (J)
per unit mass (kg) of the substance. Under the Law of Conservation of Energy, we
assumed that Quantity of heat los= Quantity of heat gained. , if there isnt any other
external temperature fluctuations involved. We used the equation
Q = MHF
Where Q= Energy
M= Mass
HF= Latent heat of Fusion in Cal/g
This experiment was conducted by placing warm water in a Styrofoam calorimeter, and
adding one gram of ice at 0C. By knowing the temperature of the water, and the mass of
the Ice, we tracked the temperature change after the ice melted, and that was the latent
heat of fusion. Graph #1 illustrates the three phase changes.

Graph 1: Phase changes 1

Materials:
Calorimeter
Stainless steel Thermometer probe
Ice
Water
Balance
Experimental procedure:
1. Measure the room temperature.
2. Take the mass of the empty calorimeter, be sure to zero the balance before
measuring to ensure accuracy.
3. Fill the calorimeter approximately 1/2 full of warm water (about 15C above
room temperature.)
4. Take the mass of the calorimeter and water, Record your numbers
5. Take the initial temperature of the warm water
6. Add small chunks of ice to the warm water, wiping the excess water from each
piece of ice immediately before adding. Then slowly add the ice. Be sure that the
ice is completely melted before adding any more chunks.

7. When the temperature of the mixture is as much below room temperature as the
warm water was initially above room temperature was and all the ice is melted,
measure the final temperature of the water (Tfinal).
8. After taking the final temperature, weigh the calorimeter and water one last time
to get Mfinal.Once these numbers are recorded, use the heat of fusion calculations
to calculate Latent Heat of Fusion.
Data and calculations
Data Trm = 21.9C
Mcal = 14.1C
Mcal + H2 O = 245.3C
Tinitial = 37.8C
Tfinal = 8.9C
Mfinal = 327.7C
(Mice) (Hf ) + (Mice) (1 cal/gC) (Tfinal 0C) = (M H2 O) (1 cal/gC) (Tinitial
Tfinal);
where,
Mice = Mfinal Mcal + H2 O = _327.7 g-245.3g=82.4 g
MH2 O = Mcal + H2 O Mcal = 245.3g-14.1=231.2 g
Cal
( M H 2 O ) 1 g C ( T Initial T Final ) (M Ice )(1 Cal/ g C )(T Final0 C)
H F=
( M ICe )

( 231..2 g ) 1

Cal
Cal
C (28.9 )( 82.4 g)( 1
C)(8.9 C)
g
g

H F =

Therefore, Hf , the latent heat of fusion per gram of water.

Hf = 72.2 Cal/g_

The theoretical Latent heat of Fusion of water was provided to be 79.8 Cal/g , with that
we calculated a percentage error of 9.5 % by using the calculation below.

Error=

Experimental valueTheoretical Value

x 100 =
Theoretical value

72.19

Cal
79.8 Cal /g
g
x 100 =9.5
79.8 Cal /g

Discussion:
As predicted, the results were within the acceptable range to the original latent heat of
fusion of ice. Probable causes of error could have been not waiting for the entire ice to
melt, or not covering the calorimeter enough and some hear (energy) could have escaped.
Questions:

1. How much energy is required to change 2.6 kg of water at 1000 C

into steam at the same temperature? Given the latent heat of
vaporization for water = 2.26 x 106 J/kg.
J
Q=m l v =( 2.6 kg ) 2.26
=5.9 x 106 Joules
kg
2. How much energy is required in total to change 1.9 kg of ice at
-100 C to steam at 1000C? (Given: Specific heat Capacity of Ice =
2100 J/kg/0C, Latent Heat of Fusion = 3.34 x 105 J/kg, Specific
heat capacity of water = 4200 J/kg/0C and latent heat of
vaporization = 2.26 x 106 J/kg)

Step 1: Change temperature of ice from -100C to 0C

Ice= Q=MCT
(1.9 kg)(2100J/kg/0C) (100C )=3.99x10^6 Joules
Step 2: Ice to water
Q=mlf=(1.9kg)(3.34x10^5 J/kg)=6.3x10^5 Joules
Step 3: Temp of water to 1000C
Q=MCT=(1.9kg)(4200J/kg/0C)(1000C)=7.98x10^5 Joules
Step 4: from liquid to gas
Q=mlv=(1.9 kg)(2.26x10^6 J/kg)=4.3x10^6 Joules
Therefore, the total energy to change 1.9 kg of ice at -10 0C to steam
at 1000C is
3.99x10^6 Joules + 6.3x10^6 Joules +7.98x10^5 Joules+4.3x10^6
Joules= 1.54x10^7 Joules

What quantity of ice at 00C can be melted by 100 J of heat?