How does the concentration of an ionic compound, Ammonium

Nitrate (NHNO), (g/mL) result in change in the rate of

temperature fluctuation (C min-1) of 500 mL of distilled water after
the compound is left in water for 15 minutes (min)?

Mostafa Hamada
Mr. Yhard
SCH-3UB
Saturday, February 21, 2015

Hypothesis:
If the concentration of Ammonium Nitrate (NHNO) (g/mL) increases, then the rate of
heat production (C min-1) will decrease. This is because the reaction between NHNO and H2O
is an endothermic reaction, which means when the Ammonium Nitrate dissolves in water, the
solution will absorb energy, in form of heat, from its surroundings (Brill et al., 1992). Thus,
decreasing the the overall temperature of the solution, which decreases the rate of heat
production (Brill et al., 1992).
Introduction:
In this investigation, the ammonium nitrate that will be used is in a solid, salt, form. The
addition of the salt into the distilled water will caused the temperature of the water and
ammonium nitrate solution to decrease over time. This can be explained by the chemistry of the
endothermic reaction. As the ammonium nitrate is dissolving in the distilled water, an
endothermic reaction is occurring. Polar molecules of water will begin to separate the nitrate ions
from the ammonium ions (Johan, 2013). The ions are now suspended in the water solution
(Johan, 2013). Large amounts of energy is needed to separate the ions, thus, the heat energy of
the water will decrease (Johan, 2013). Safety concerns regarding the ammonium nitrate are rare.
NHNO(g) will give off occasional fumes and will cause damage to the skin if left for a long
time (Johan, 2013). However, for the purposes of this investigation, a solid, salt, form of the
compound will be used. This unique reaction between ammonium nitrate and water givens it a
great importance in the real world. For one, this endothermic reaction is used in cold packs,
which are used to temporarily treat minor injuries, such as cuts and bruises (Johan, 2013). The
ammonium nitrate and water are separated by tiny, thin-membraned compartments that are easy
to break once shook or squeezed (Johan, 2013). The two compounds will be able to mix, which
will give off cooler temperature, through the process of endothermic reactions (Johan, 2013).

Materials List:

- 15x 750 mL Erlenmeyer Flask - 2x 500 mL Beaker

- 1x CanadianWeigh electronic

- 1x 100 g Ammonium Nitrate

- 1x SmartRead Digital

(NHNO)

- 1x 50 L Distilled Water

- 1x TimePro digital timer

(0.005 second)

scale (0.005 g)

Thermometer (0.05C)

- 3x 500 mL graduated cylinder - 5x 100 g Watch Glass

(0.5 mL)

- 1x Stirring Rod

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Table 1: Relevant Independent, Dependent, and Control Variables

Type of Variable

Name of Variable
(Unit of Measurement)

Relevance to Investigation

Independent
Variable

Concentration of
Ammonium Nitrate
(g/mL)

The concentration of NHNO is needed

to figure out the reaction of water to the
ionic compound.
The concentration will vary every
condition (0.2 g/mL, 0.4 g/mL, 0.6 g/
mL, 0.8 g/mL, and 1.0 g/mL)
This is used to figure out the predicted
reaction of the water molecules with will
absorb the heat energy, thus, decreasing
the temperature of the solution.
Graduated cylinders and a beaker will be
used to achieve the various
concentrations.

Dependent Variable

Rate of Heat Production

(C min-1)

In order to calculate the rate of heat

production, a timer will be used, along
with a digital thermometer.
This variable will vary according the
condition of the independent variable
The rate of heat production will in turn
decrease as the concentration of
Ammonium Nitrate increases.

Volume of Water
Controlled Variables (mL)

The 500 mL of distilled water will be

kept the same thought out all the trials
and conditions to ensure the most
reliable results to the experiment.

Type of Ammonium
Nitrate in solution
(g)

In order to allow for the results to be

viable, the type/brand of the ammonium
nitrate will stay the same thus be
controlled.

Type of Water

This will be controlled as the distilled

water will be kept through out the
investigation as a solvent in order to
minimize the number of error results
Different types of water will have
different chemical properties which
might alter the investigations results

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Procedure:
I will add the different masses of ammonium nitrate to the a constant mass of distilled
water to make different concentrations. I will measure the initial temperature of the water using
the digital thermometer and then add the ammonium nitrate concentrations. Then measure the
final temperature then calculate the rate of temperature temperature
1. Measure 500 mL of distilled water, using 500 mL graduated cylinder
2. Pour the water from the 500 mL graduated cylinder to the 125 mL Erlenmeyer Flask
3. Measure 2 g of ammonium nitrate, using the electronic scale and a watch glass
4. Measure 10 mL of distilled water, using 500 mL graduated cylinder
5. Place the water in a 500 mL beaker
6. Place the ammonium nitrate in the 500 mL beaker
7. Stir the solution for 20 seconds, using the stirring rod
8. Pour the solution into the 125 mL Erlenmeyer Flask with water
9. Place the digital thermometer inside the flask
10. Record the temperature, as initial temperature
11. Start the timer
12. Stop the timer after 15 minutes
13. Record the temperature, as final temperature
14. Remove the digital thermometer to let it dry
15. Dispose of the chemical solution into the appropriate waster container
16. Calculate the rate of temperature decrease using Formula 1 in Calculations section
17. Repeat Steps 1-16 for another 2 trials, for the same independent variable conditions
18. Calculate the average of temperature decrease of trials, using Formula 2 from the
Calculations section, to find the average of temperature decrease of the condition
19. Repeat Steps 1-18 for another 4 times, using conditions: 4 g of ammonium nitrate, 6 g, 8 g,
10 g, while keeping all other variables constant

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Bibliography
Brill, T.B., Brush, P.J., Patil, D.G. 1992. Thermal decomposition of energetic materials 58.
Chemistry of ammonium nitrate and ammonium dinitramide near the burning surface
temperature. Combustion and Flame, Vol. 92. <http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/
article/pii/001021809390206I>. [accessed 20 Feb 2015]
Johan. 2013. What happens when you mix ammonium nitrate and water? Ammonium Nitrate
Organization. <http://www.ammoniumnitrate.org/what-happens-when-you-mixammonium-nitrate-and-water/>. [accessed 21 Feb 2015]

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