Alex Spears

Roque

Chem 112-04

25 February 2019

Salt Melt

Objectives

For this lab, the objective was to use calculation and experimentation to determine which of five

salts would be the most effective at melting ice.

Introduction

Over the last week, my group and I went about conducting laboratory experiments to test five

different salts: Sodium Chloride; Anhydrous Calcium Chloride; Calcium chloride dihydrate;

Anhydrous sodium acetate; and, Sodium acetate trihydrate. Using these experiments we were

able to answer the question of which of these salts was the most effective at melting ice. This is

very important in cold locations as the more effective the salt the less you need to achieve the

same results. Also, to completely free roadways and walkways of ice you must that your salt

lowers the freezing point past the lowest expected temperature. Using our lab results and

calculation we have been able to determine which of these five salts is the most effective.

Experimentation

This experimental procedure began by performing a test to identify the enthalpy of dissolution

for each of the salts. For this procedure, the following equipment was used: LabQuest;

Thermocouple; Graduated cylinder; calorimeter; and a scale. The experiment began by setting

up the LabQuest. The LabQuest was equipped with a thermocouple and set to record one point
of data every second for a total of 180 seconds. Once complete the weight of the calorimeter, in

this case, a styrofoam cup, was measured using the scale and recorded. The cup was set aside

and 40ml of water was measured in the graduated cylinder and poured into the cup. The weight

of the cup with water in it was measured on the scale and recorded. Setting the cup and water

aside the scale was then used to messure 2 grams of salt. Once measured the salt was set aside

and the thermocouple was placed in the cup of water. The LabQuest was then used to start

recording data. After allowing 20 seconds for the temperature to stabilize the salt was added and

stirred with the thermocouple untell the 180 seconds has been reached. Care was taken to not

allow the thermocouple to be removed from the water. Once the 180 seconds was completed the

LabQuest stopped recording data and the cup with water and salt was weighed on the scale, the

data was recorded. Using the table feature of the lab quest the starting and final temperature was

recorded. The equipment was then cleaned and with the next salt, the same process was done.

Once all five salts were tested, the data was put on a USB using the LabQuests’ export feature.

The data was then imported into a spreadsheet, organized, and graphed.

The next step in this experiment was measuring the change in freezing point when each

of these salts was added to water. For this process, the following equipment was used:

LabQuest; Thermocouple; Plastic centrifuge tube: 600ml beaker; ice; digital thermometer;

Graduated cylinder; and regular road salt. Before the experimental procedure began the

LabQuest was set up to record six data point per minute for a total of 15 minutes. Before testing

the salts a test with pure water was done to establish a baseline. 10ml of water was measured in

the graduated cylinder and set aside. The centrifuge tube was placed in the beaker and both were

weighed on the scale. This weight was recorded then the 10ml of water was added and that
weight was recorded. The centrifuge tube with water was taken out of the beaker and the beaker

was filled with about ¼ salt, ⅓ ice, and a little water. This was mixed untell a slush mixture

formed. The thermocouple was then placed into the water in the centrifuge tube and data

collection on the LabQuest was initiated. The centrifuge tube was placed in the ice, water, salt

slush and stirred around. After a couple of minutes, the graph on the LabQuest should begin to

bottom out. This graph was observed untell the graph began to decrease again. The water was

then observed untell it turned to ice. Once all the water turned to ice the LabQuest was stopped.

The equipment was cleaned and we began the experiment again with the five salts. The only

difference between the test above and the one with the salt is 1g of salt should be measured and

added to the water in the centrifuge tube before placing it in the water, ice, salt slush mixture.

Once again data is collected untell the water turns to ice. Once all five salts were tested a USB

was acquired and using the LabQuests’ export feature the data was imported into a spreadsheet.

Results

Enthalpy of dissolution

This was the table used during the experiment to calculate the enthalpy of dissolution.

NaCl CaCl2 CaCl2*2H2O NaC2H302 NaC2H3O2*

3H2P

Cup Mass(g) 4.6 4.59 4.17 2.66

Cup+Water 43.5 44.32 43.68 41.6

Mass(g)

H2O 23.2 23 22.5 21.7 20.7

Temp(i)(c)

Mass Salt(g) 2 2 2 2.01 2

Mass 45.3 46.16 45.60 43.4

Solution(g)
 Temp 22.2 26.2 25.5 23.7 24
Solution
(f)(c)

Time of Salt 25 25 25 25 25
added(s)

After the data was collected the equation ΔH Sol = m * s * ΔT ​where m is the mass in grams,

J J
s is the specific heat, .85 g C for NaCl and 1 g C f​ or the other four compounds.
*° *°

ΔH Sol (J) -1.7 6 6.4 6.8 7.2

Here is the graph of the temperature with respect to time of the five compounds tested.

Freezing Point Depression

First, we found the freezing point of water was 0 degrees Celsius

 NaCl CaCl2 CaCl2 Anhydrous NaC2H3O2
Dihydrate NaC2H3O2 Trihydrate

Mass Salt(g) 1 1.01 1 1.05 1

Mass 8 10.4 9.91 10.30 9.26

Water(g)

Molality of 2.135 .875 .686 1.212 .793

Solution

Freezing -9.5 -5.5 -7.2 -5.1 -5

Point

Δtf p 9.5 5.5 7.2 5.1 5

Salts i-value 2.392 3.39 5.64 2.26 3.56

Moles of salt .017 .009 .0068 .0128 .0073

This was the tables used to record our data during the experiment.

The mass of water was calculated by minimizing the weight of the beaker and centrifuge tube by

the weight after adding water. The molality of the solution was calculated by taking the moles of

salt and dividing them by the mass of water in Kg. Salts i-value was calculated by using the

equation Δtf p = i * m * k f ,​ Δtf p ​and m are both taken from the table above. k f is a constant

and is equal to 1.86.

Here are our graphs of the salts we were able to test.
In order to answer the question posed a few other questions have to be answered. Specifically,

Δtpf
the ability to lower freezing point by mass using the equation​ M ass(g) .

NaCl CaCl2 CaCl2 Anhydrous NaC2H3O2

Dihydrate NaC2H3O2 Trihydrate
Δtpf 9.5 5.45 7.2 5.1 5
M ass(g)

Δtpf
I also used the equation M oles to calculate the ability of each to lower the freezing point of

water per mole.

NaCl CaCl2 CaCl2 Anhydrous NaC2H3O2

Dihydrate NaC2H3O2 Trihydrate
Δtpf 558.8 611.11 1058.8 398.4 684.93
M oles

Discussion

Above I have laid out my groups' data and briefly explained how we got it. Do all of these

tables, graphs, and equation mean? The first experiment was used specifically to calculate the

enthalpy of dissolution. What this gives us is the heat released or absorbed during the

dissolution of the salt. The more energy release the more ice melted. The second experiment
was used to identify the freezing point depression. That is, it was used to figure out how much

lower the freezing point using the specific salts. We could use the data collected there to

calculate freezing point change per mass and per moles. Using all of this data we can come to a

conclusion as to which salt is best used for melting ice. Of the first test, it would seem

thatAnhydrous Calcium Chloride would be the best as it releases the most energy upon

dissolution. However, it isn't very efficient per weight or mols, meaning you would have to use

more to achieve the same results. Using this information you may say that Sodium Chloride

would them be the best as it has the best freezing point change per mass than the others. But if

you look its delta H is by far the lowest meaning that it produces the least amount of energy of

all the salts. I suggest that Calcium Chloride dihydrate would then be the best at meeting the

salt. It scored the best in a change in freezing point per mole and second in delta H and change

in freezing point per mass. All this means is that per amount of calcium chloride dihydrate you

will achieve the most efficient results melting ice.

Conclusion

Over this week-long process, I have use experimentation and calculation to come to the

conclusion that calcium chloride dihydrate is the most balanced in terms of effectiveness and

efficiency of all the salts tested. I have reached this conclusion by determining that it produces a

lot of heat relative to the other salts while maintaining a good freezing point per mass and moles

ratio. Although calcium chloride dihydrate is the most balanced of the salts it is important to

know what you are trying to do with the salt. If you are trying to save money, then a more

efficient salt may be required. If your goal is to melt ice at very low temperatures then perhaps a

less cost/use efficient but more potent salt could be used. Questions like this are asked and
answer every day by people around the world trying to solve problems of health and safety.

Thus, it is imperative we take the time to do the research and experiments and calculations to

come to the best conclusions we can.