IGCSE chemistry Experimental and investigative skills

Questions

1. The apparatus below was used to measure the enthalpy change for the combustion of methanol. The table
shows the results which were obtained.

Mass (g)
Water in beaker 100.0
Mass of spirit burner + lid + 28.4
methanol at start
Mass of spirit burner + lid + 27.4
methanol after burning

C
Starting temperature 19
Final temperature 69

(a) Calculate the molar enthalpy for methanol.

Temperature change = 69 C 19 C = 50 C
Energy released 4.2 j/C g x 100 g x 50 C = 21000J
Moles
o Mass of methanol burned: 27.42 g 28.44 g = 1.02g
o Moles = 1.02/32 = 0.032
o Molar energy: 21000J/0.032 = 656250 J/mol = - 656 kJ/mol

(b) What safety risk might there be in carrying out this experiment?

Methanol is flammable.
Hot beaker and hot water

(c) Suggest how you would improve precision in this experiment?

Use a thermometer which measures to 0.5 C or to an even a smaller division instead of to 1C.
Use a balance which measures to 0.01g.
Repeat the experiment a few more times and average final results.

(d) Identify any experimental errors and for each error say how it will effect the final result.

error how it will affect molar enthalpy

Heat loss between flame and beaker or from water. Lower molar enthalpy

Incomplete combustion of methanol so less energy

released.
Soot build up on bottom of beaker which stops heat from
transferring from flame to water in the beaker.

Methanol mass loss as a result of evaporation as opposed

to being burned.
 (e) Design an experiment to compare the energy released when methanol, ethanol and propanol are
burned.
Measure mass of spirit burner + lid + fuel and temperature of water
Burn methanol for same amount of time/ after that time, stop burning
Measure temperature of water and mass of spirit burner + lid + fuel
Same amount of water
Same amount of distance between flame and water

2. Displacement reactions between metals and salt solutions of other metals are exothermic reactions. The set
up below can be used to measure the enthalpy change which takes place such a displacement reaction.

A student wanted to measure the molar enthalpy change of the displacement reaction between zinc and
copper sulphate.

The student used 100 cm3 of a 0.5 mol dm3 copper

sulphate solution to which an excess of zinc was added.
The student recorded the following data.

starting temperature ( 0.5C) 21.5

highest temperature ( 0.5C) 48.5

(a) Use the data above to calculate the molar enthalpy of displacement between zinc and copper sulphate.
Temperature change = 48.5 21.5 = 27.0
Energy released 4.2 x 100 x 27.0 = 11340J
Molar enthalpy
o Moles = 0.5 mol/dm3 x 0.1 dm3 = 0.05 moles
o Molar enthalpy: 11340J/0.05 = 226800 J/mol = 227 kJ/mol

(b) Identify any variables that you think could affect the molar enthalpy.
nature of metal
nature of salt solution
surface area of metal
temperature
beaker/lid/amount of insulation

(c) Select one variable and write a possible research question.

Does the surface area of the metal affect the molar enthalpy of the displacement between the metal and
copper sulphate?

(d) Plan a procedure to investigate your research question.

Take an certain volume of a copper sulphate solution
Measure its temperature
Add metal powder to the copper sulphate
 Record temperature to find highest temperature
Stop the reaction when temperature decreases
Repeat with small pieces of metal
Same volume of salt solution; same mass of metal, same temperature, same cup/lid/insulation
(e) How will ensure validity of your investigation?
Same volume of salt solution
Same mass of metal
Same starting temperature
Use balance with greater division e.g. to 0.01g
Use thermometer with greater divisions/digital temperature probe

(f) How will you ensure your investigation is reliable?

Repeat experiment until results are concordant.
Use more precise measuring tools i.e. with smaller divisions.
Reduce heat loss by using better insulated container
Wait until reaction is complete or add more excess solution or increase surface area of metal

3. A student wanted to measure the percentage of oxygen in magnesium oxide. The student used the
apparatus below and obtained the date presented in the table below.

Mass ( 0.01g)
Crucible + lid 36.07
Crucible + lid + magnesium 36.20
Crucible + lid + magnesium oxide 36.22
after 5 minutes
Crucible + lid + magnesium oxide 36.25
after 10 minutes
Crucible + lid + magnesium oxide 36.27
after 15 minutes
Crucible + lid + magnesium oxide 36.27
after 20 minutes

(a) Why is there no need to heat for another 5 minutes after the first 20 minutes.
Reaction, oxidation, has completed/no magnesium left to react/all magnesium has reacted
(b) Using the data in the table, calculate the percentage of oxygen in the magnesium oxide formed in this
experiment.

magnesium reacted: 36.20 36.07 = 0.13 g

magnesium oxide formed: 36.27 36.08 = 0.19g
amount of oxygen reacted: 0.19g 0.13 = = 0.07g
percentage of oxygen in magnesium oxide = 0.07/0.19 x 100 = 36.1%

(c) The expected value is 40 %. Give reasons why the experimental percentage answered above is
different.

During the heating when lifting the lid magnesium oxide escaped as white smoke reducing the mass
 of magnesium oxide (+ crucible+ lid) measured and therefore the calculated amount of
oxygen/percentage that reacted would be less than expected.
You did not heat long enough so not all magnesium reacted; again less mass of magnesium oxide +
crucible + lid would be measured and therefore lower mass/percentage of oxygen.
Not enough oxygen was allowed in: same as above.
Some which do not apply here as they explain a greater percentage of oxygen:
o Soot on crucible that increases mass of crucible + lid + magnesium oxide which results in a
greater mass of calculated magnesium oxide and a greater percentage of oxygen than
expected
o Some of the magnesium reacted with nitrogen in the air to form magnesium nitride which has
a higher percentage of magnesium than in magnesium oxide

(d) Suggest how you could make the experimental results more reliable.
Repeat the experiment until results are concordant.
Avoid soot from forming on bottom of crucible.
Reduce amount of magnesium oxide which escapes when lid is lifted.
Ensure enough oxygen is available to magnesium.