HessLawmagnesiumsulphatePage 1 of 3

IB CHEMISTRY INTERNAL ASSESSMENT

Experiment: Using Hess Law (SL/HL): hydration of copper sulphate

Aim

To determine the enthalpy change for the reaction

CuSO4 (s) + 5H2O (l)  CuSO4.5H2O (s)

Introduction
It is impossible to measure the enthalpy change for this reaction directly because if we add 5
moles of water to 1 mole of copper (II) sulphate, we do not produce hydrated copper (II) sulphate
crystals. These can only be made by crystalisation.
However, you can measure the enthalpy change of solution for the following two solids shown in
the equation below:

CuSO4 (s) + 100H2O (l)  CuSO4 (aq, 100H2O)

CuSO4.5H2O (s) + 95H2O (l)  CuSO4 (aq, 100H2O)

Assessment opportunities: practice data collection and processing

Aspect 1 Aspect 2 Aspect 3 Levels/marks

Defining the problem and Controlling variables Developing a method for

selecting variables collection of data

Formulates a focused Designs a method for the Develops a method that allows
problem/research question and effective control of the variables. for the collection of sufficient Complete/2
identifies the relevant variables. relevant data.

Formulates a problem/research Designs a method that makes Develops a method that allows
question that is incomplete or some attempt to control the for the collection of insufficient
identifies only some relevant variables. relevant data. Partial/1
variables.

Does not identify a Designs a method that does not Develops a method that does not
problem/research question and control the variables. allow for any relevant data to be
does not identify any relevant collected. Not at all/0
variables.

0 1 2 0 1 2 0 1 2 total: /6

Requirements and materials

 safety goggles  distilled water

 spatula  teat pipette
 CuSO4 (s)  thermometer, 0 – 50 C
 balance  CuSO4.5H2O (s)
 2 polystyrene cups with lid

Procedure A: Heat of solution of CuSO4 (s) (=dried/anhydrous)

 HessLawmagnesiumsulphatePage 2 of 3
Use 0.10 mol of anhydrous copper (II) sulphate and 100 cm3 of water.

Procedure B: Heat of solution of CuSO4.5H2O (s)

Use 0.10 mol of hydrated copper (II) sulphate but using only 91 cm3 of water as the hydrated salt
already contains 9 cm3 (0.5 mol) of water.

Data collection and processing

Under the heading “Measurements and Observations”, design an appropriate results table which
contains all relevant raw data which will allow you to calculate the enthalpy change using Hess’s
Law.

Under the heading “Calculation” , use the raw data recorded in the above results table to
calculate the enthalpy change for the reaction given. Draw an enthalpy cycle diagram. Show
clearly how all raw data has been processed and carry out a propagation of uncertainty.

Assessment opportunities: conclusion and evaluation

Aspect 1 Aspect 2 Aspect 3 Levels/marks

Concluding Evaluating procedure(s) Improving the investigation

States a conclusion, with Evaluates weaknesses and Suggests realistic improvements Complete/2
justification, based on a limitations. in respect of identified
reasonable interpretation of the weaknesses and limitations.
data.

States a conclusion based on a Identifies some weaknesses and Suggests only superficial Partial/1
reasonable interpretation of the limitations, but the evaluation is improvements.
data. weak or missing.

States no conclusion or the Identifies irrelevant weaknesses Suggests unrealistic Not at all/0
conclusion is based on an and limitations. improvements.
unreasonable interpretation of
the data.

0 1 2 0 1 2 0 1 2 total: /6

The accepted value = - 62 kJ mol-1.

Conclusion and Evaluation (CE)

!st aspect:

 Write a conclusion (= reply to your aim) based on the experimental results.

 Indicate how you have used/interpreted the experimental results to arrive at your conclusion.
 Give an explanation for your conclusion using your Chemistry knowledge.
 Compare your experimental results with literature values or expected values (if available) and
state if possible a % error and if it is positive (more) or negative (less)

2nd aspect:
 HessLawmagnesiumsulphatePage 3 of 3
Evaluation of result

Describe any limitations in the way you have interpreted your results e.g. have you ignored any
variables which you have not measured or could not have measured?

Evaluation of procedure (=materials/equipment + design/method) consists of:

Identification of systematic errors which are errors due to the quality of the equipment and
materials, poor experimental design and ‘incorrect’ use of the equipment. These errors cannot be
calculated and are also difficult to evaluate. However, these systematic errors can be reduced by
using better equipment/materials or improved experimental technique.

a. Evaluation of materials/equipment: Measuring tools improperly calibrated? Accurate

enough? Incorrect concentration of reagents? Impure reagents? Amounts of reagents
used large enough?

b. Evaluation of method: Are there any weaknesses in the method which could have caused
an error greater than the % uncertainty? Did you make any errors when carrying out the
experiment e.g. did you not do some thing which you should have done or did you do it
incorrectly? Were some variables not controlled? Were readings duplicated?

c. Evaluation of result: describe any limitations to the way you have interpreted your results
e.g. have you ignored any variables which you could have measured or have not
measured? Have you used all the raw data?

For each identified limitation in (a) or (b), weakness or error indicate the direction of its effect on
the experimental result i.e. would it have caused your experimental result be more or less.

Limitation/weakness How much did it affect my result

Materials/equipment



Design/method



Evaluation of quality of the result:

3rd aspect

For each suggested weakness, limitation or error suggest improvements

Both the 2nd and 3rd aspect can be done using a table as shown below. There is no need to
always fill something in each row.

Limitation weakness improvement

1.

2.