FACULTY OF APPLIED SCIENCES

LABORATORY REPORT

PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY
(CHM 431)

Title of Experiment Calorimetry : Hess’s Law

No. Experiment 1

Name of student Ernie Najwa Najihah Binti Faidi

Student ID number 2017283562

Programme code AS246

Partner’s name Syeril Nurfatihah Binti Suhaimi

Date of experiment is done 14th March 2018

Date of lab report is submitted 27th March 2018

Lecturer’s name Dr. Noraini Binti Hamzah

Instructor’s name Erma Hafiza

Objectives
1. To compare the heat capacity of a coffee cup calorimeter and a copper calorimeter.
2. To determine the standard enthalpy of formation of a magnesium oxide, ΔHº f.

Introduction
Hess’s Law states that energy changes are state functions. The amount of energy
depends only on the states of the reactants and the state of the products, but not on the
intermediate steps. Energy (enthalpy) changes in chemical reactants are the same, regardless
whether the reactants occur in one or several steps. The total energy change in a chemical
reactants is the sum of the energy changes in its many steps leading to the overall reactions.
This experiment will determine the standard enthalpy (heat) of formation of magnesium
oxide:2

Mg(s) + ½ O(g) → MgO (s)

By considering the algebraic sum of the following reactions:

Mg (s) + 2HCl (aq) → MgCl₂ (aq) + H₂ (g)

MgO (s) + 2HCl (l) → MgCl₂ (aq) + H₂O (l)

H₂ (g) + ½ O₂ → H₂O (l)

Apparatus
1. Thermometer (2)
2. Styrofoam cup with cardboard cover lid (2)
3. Copper calorimeter with insulating cover (1)
4. 100cm3 beaker
5. 100cm3 graduated cylinder

Chemicals
1. 2.0M hydrochloric acid
2. Magnesium oxide powder
3. Magnesium powder
Safety Precautions
Wear proper protective equipment: goggles, lab coat, proper shoes.

Procedure
The experiment is performed at standard conditions (atmospheric pressure and 25ºC). All
experiments are done in a ‘double’ Styrofoam cup (coffee cup) calorimeter and copper
calorimeter.

A. Heat capacity of calorimeter

The double nested styrofoam cups are make sure to be cleaned and dry. A burette was then
used to deliver exactly 50cm3 of tap water into the calorimeter. The cover and thermometer
were next replaced and the water temperature was recorded for four minutes at one minute
intervals. 50cm3 of hot water (40 - 50ºC above the room temperature) was then measured using
a graduated cylinder and was poured into a beaker. Using another thermometer, the temperature
of the hot water was recorded and was quickly poured completely into the calorimeter
containing the cold water at the fifth minutes. The lid was then replaced and the water was
carefully stirred with the thermometer. The temperature was then recorded every 15 seconds
for the next three minutes. The steps was then repeated using the copper calorimeter.

B. Reaction 2 : magnesium with hydrochloric acid

About 1.0 – 1.1g of magnesium powder was weighed and the exact weigh was recorded.
50cm3 of 2M HCl was drained from a burette into the calorimeter and the cover as well as the
thermometer were then replaced. The temperature of the HCl was next recoded every minute
for four minutes. At the fifth minutes, the magnesium powder was quickly poured into the HCl.
The lid was replaced and the contents in the calorimeter was carefully stirred using
thermometer. The temperature was then recorded for the next three minutes at 15 seconds
intervals.

C. Reaction 3 : magnesium oxide with hydrochloric acid

About 1.6 – 1.8g of magnesium oxide was weighed and the exact weigh used was recorded.
Same as the steps in B, 50cm3 of 2M HCl was drained from a burette into the calorimeter and
the cover with the thermometer were next replaced. The temperature of the HCl was recorded
every minute for four minutes. At the fifth minutes, the magnesium oxide powder was quickly
poured into the HCl. Next, the lid was replaced and the contents in the calorimeter was carefully
stirred using thermometer. The temperature was then recorded for the next three minutes at 15
seconds intervals.

Result

Temperature of hot water: 67ºC

Mass of Mg (g): 1.0786 g
Mass of MgO (g): 1.6320 g

Coffee cup calorimeter Copper calorimeter Mg and HCl MgO and HCl
Time T(°C) Time T(°C) Time T(°C) Time T(°C)
1 min 30°C 1 min 28°C 1 min 31°C 1 min 31°C
2 min 30°C 2 min 28°C 2 min 31°C 2 min 31°C
3 min 30°C 3 min 28°C 3 min 31°C 3 min 31°C
4 min 30°C 4 min 28°C 4 min 31°C 4 min 31°C
5 min
15 sec 41°C 15 sec 43°C 15 sec 65°C 15 sec 50°C
30 sec 41°C 30 sec 43°C 30 sec 75°C 30 sec 52°C
45 sec 41°C 45 sec 42°C 45 sec 70°C 45 sec 51°C
6 min 41°C 6 min 41°C 6 min 70°C 6 min 50°C

15 sec 41°C 15 sec 41°C 15sec 70°C 15 sec 50°C

30 sec 41°C 30 sec 41°C 30sec 70°C 3o sec 50°C
45 sec 41°C 45 sec 40°C 45sec 70°C 45 sec 50°C
7 min 41°C 7 min 39°C 7 min 70°C 7 min 50°C

15 sec 41°C 15 sec 39°C 15 sec 70°C 15 sec 50°C

30 sec 41°C 30 sec 38°C 30 sec 70°C 30 sec 50°C
45 sec 41°C 45 sec 38°C 45 sec 70°C 45 sec 50°C
8 min 41°C 8 min 37°C 8 min 70°C 8 min 40°C
1. Graph Of Time Versus Temperature For Coffee Cup Calorimeter
2. Graph Of Time Versus Temperature For Copper Calorimeter
3. Graph Of Time Versus Temperature For Mg and HCl
4. Graph Of Time Versus Temperature Of MgO and HCl
Discussion

The heat capacity of both calorimeters are:

(Q Cal for coffee cup calorimeter) (Q Cal for copper calorimeter)

Q hot= 𝑚𝑐∆𝑇 Q hot= 𝑚𝑐∆𝑇

=50g (4.18 J/g °C) (67°C - 41°C) =50g (4.18 J/g °C) (67°C - 43°C)

=5434 J =5016 J

Q cold= 𝑚𝑐∆𝑇 Q cold= 𝑚𝑐∆𝑇

=50g (4.18 J/g °C) (41°C - 30°C) =50g (4.18 J/g °C) (43°C - 28°C)

=2299 J =3135 J

Q hot = Q cold + Q cal Q hot = Q cold + Q cal

5434 J = 2299 J + Q cal 5016 J = 3135 J + Q cal

Q cal = 5434 J – 2299 J Q cal = 5016 J – 3135 J

= 3135 J = 1881 J

Q cal = C cal (T f –T c) Q cal = C cal (T f –T c)

3135 J = C cal (41°C - 30°C) 1881 J = C cal (43°C - 28°C)

C cal = 285 J/°C C cal = 125.4 J/°C

The capacity of the both calorimeters have different temperature change, this is because copper
conducts heat much more effectively than coffee cup. The calorimeter will carry the heat away
to the surrounding faster than the coffee cup.
The heat reaction for reaction 2 and 3 in kJ /mol. The moles of reactants involved in the reaction
are:

Chemical Equation:

Mg + 2HCl → MgCl₂ +H₂

MgO + 2HCl → MgCl₂

 Mg + MgO → H₂ + H₂O

Mol MgO = 1.661 / (24.3) (16)

= 4.27 x 10-3 (limiting reactant)

Q = 𝑚𝑐∆𝑇

= (1.0786) (4.18) (67 - 30)

=166.82 J

∆H rxn Mg = Q /mole

=0.16682 kJ /4.27 x 10-3

=39.07 kJ/mol

Q = 𝑚𝑐∆𝑇

= (1.6320) (4.18) (67 – 30)

= 252.41 J

∆H rxn Mg = Q /mole

= 0.25241 kJ/4.27 x 10-3 mol

= 59.11 kJ/mol
Chemical equations 2,3,4 can be added to produce chemical equation 1:

Mg (s) + 2HCl (aq) → MgCl₂ (aq) + H₂ (g) ------②

MgO (s) + 2HCl (l) → MgCl₂ (aq) + H₂O (l) ------③

H₂ (g) + ½ O₂ → H₂O (l) ------④

Solution:

Mg(s) + 2HCl (aq) → MgCl₂ (aq) + H₂ (g) ------②

MgCl₂(aq) + H₂O(l) → MgO(s) + 2HCl(l) ------③

H₂(g) + ½ O₂ → H₂O(l) ------④

Mg(s) + ½ O₂ → MgO(s) ------①

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

∆H = 𝒎𝒄∆𝑻 (Mg and HCl coffee cup calorimeter)

= (1.0786 g) (285 J/°C) (67°C - 31°C)

=11.066 kJ

Mole Mg = 1.0786 g/ 24.31g/mol

= 0.0444 mol

=11.066 kJ / 0.0444 mol

=249.23 kJ/mol

∆H = 𝒎𝒄∆𝑻 (MgO and HCl coffee cup calorimeter)

= (1.6320 g) (314.26 J/°C) (53°C - 31°C)

=11.283 kJ

Mole Mg = 1.6320 g / 40.30 g/mol

 = 0.0405 mol

=11.283 kJ / 0.0405 mol

=278.592 kJ/mol

∆H = 𝒎𝒄∆𝑻 (Hydrogen)

= -285.8 KJ/mol

Chemical equations 2,3,4 can be added to produce chemical equation 1:

Mg(s) + 2HCl (aq) → MgCl₂(aq) + H₂(g) ------② ∆H = -249.23 kJ/mol

MgO(s) + 2HCl(l) → MgCl₂(aq) + H₂O) ------③ ∆H = - 278.592 kJ/mol

H₂(g) + ½ O₂ → H₂O(l) ------④ ∆H = -286 kJ/mol

Solution:

Mg(s) + 2HCl (aq) → MgCl₂(aq) + H₂(g) ------② ∆H = -249.23 kJ/mol

MgCl₂(aq) + H₂O(l) → MgO(s) + 2HCl(l) ------③ ∆H = + 278.592 kJ/mol

H₂(g) + ½ O₂ → H₂O(l) ------④ ∆H = -286 kJ/mol

Mg(s) + ½ O₂ → MgO(s) ------①

∆H rxn = -249.23 kJ/mol + 278.592 kJ/mol + (-286 kJ/mol) = -256.638 kJ/mol

Based on the calculation, the standard enthalpy formation of magnesium oxide is - 256.638 kJ/mol

The theoretical value of enthalpy formation of MgO is -601.8 KJ/mol

Percent error = (actual value/theoretical value) x 100

= (-256.638 kJ/mol /-601.8 kJ/mol) x 100

= 42.65%
Conclusion

This experiment is conducted to compare the heat capacities of a coffee cup calorimeter and a
copper calorimeter which is found to be 3135 J and 1881 J respectively. The standard enthalpy
of formation of magnesium oxide, ΔHºf also can be determined during this experiment. The
ΔHºf of magnesium oxide is found to be 278.592 kJ/mol. Thus, the objectives of this experiment
is successfully achieved.

Questions

1.
a) Which of the two calorimeters: coffee cup calorimeter or copper
calorimeter has a higher heat capacity?
Coffee cup calorimeter has a higher heat capacity
b) What conclusion can you make regarding the relationship of heat capacity
of calorimeter with temperature change of the reactions?
The capacity of the both calorimeters have different temperature change, this is
because copper conducts heat much more effectively than coffee cup. The
calorimeter will carry the heat away to the outside world faster than the coffee
cup. The higher the heat capacity of the calorimeter, the higher the temperature
change of the solution.

2. For the following problem, assume that the volume of the volume of the final
solution is 200cm3, the density of the solution is 1.00 gmL-1 and the heat capacity
of the solution is the same as water (4.184 Jg-1 ºC).
a) When 0.800 g of Ca metal is added to 200cm3 of 0.500 M HCl (aq)
according to the method described in Procedure B, a temperature increase
of 13.0ºC is observed. What is ΔH rxn at room temperature for the reaction
of Ca (s) + 2H+ (aq)?
Ca(s) + 2HCl(aq) → CaCl₂ + H₂O
Q = 𝒎𝒄∆𝑻
(0.800g)(4.184J/g°C)(85°C - 31°C)
=0.181KJ
Mole = 0.800g/40g/mol
 =0.02mol

∆H = Q/mol
=0.181KJ/0.02 mol
=9.05KJ/mol

b) When 1.12 g of CaO is added to 200cm3 of 0.500 M HCl (aq) according to

method describe in Procedure B, a temperature increase of 4.62ºC is
observed. What is ΔH rxn at room temperature for the reaction of CaO (s)
+ 2H+ ?

CaO + HCl → CaCl₂ + H₂O

∆H = Q/mol
(1.12g)(4.184 J/g°C) (76.62 °C - 31°C)
=0.214kJ
Mole =1.12g /640g/mol
=1.75 * 10^-3
∆H = Q/mol
=0.214kJ/1.75 x 10-3
=122.29 kJ/mol

3. A student carelessly insert the thermometer while assembling the coffee cup
calorimeter and a large hole is torn in the plastic lid. How will this affect his
experimental results?
The large hole in the plastic lid will affect the experimental result, this is because the
heat will release through the hole and effect the temperature reading.