Determination of the Latent Heat of Fusion of Water

Glynss Samantha Banzuelo1*, Carlo James Escao2, Mark Keanu James Exconde2, and James Albert Narvaez
1
Department of Chemical Engineering, University of the Philippines, Quezon City
Department of Mining, Metallurgical, and Materials Engineering, University of the Philippines, Quezon City
*gsbanzuelo@gmail.com

Abstract
The objectives of this experiment include to (1) verify the latent heat of fusion of
water and (2) determine the relationship of the latent heat of fusion to the salinity of water.
The latent heat of fusion was calculated using the equation for heat required to melt a known
mass of ice. The same method and equations were used to determine the latent heat of fusion
of water-salt solutions of different concentrations. The obtained average magnitude for the
heat of fusion of water is 67.06 cal/g which is a 16.17% deviation from the theoretical value
which is 80.00 cal/g. It was determined from the graph of the water salinity and the latent heat
of fusion that as the concentration of the water-salt solution increases, the temperature
required to melt the ice also increases.

1. Introduction
Physicists define phase change as the conversion of a matter from one of its state to another (eg. Solid
to liquid, liquid to gas, gas to solid, and vice versa). The process of melting is the transition of a solid into the
liquid form. This process is also called fusion. In order for a matter to change its state, energy is required to be
absorbed or emitted by the matter. This energy is taken in the form of heat and is measured by the temperature
of the substance.
During a phase change, the temperature of the matter remains constant so its temperature during the solid state
is equal remains the same until the end of the fusion process when all the solid is already converted to solid. The
latent heat of fusion is the amount of heat needed to melt all the ice into liquid. This value depends on the
composition of the substances. The equation utilized for calculating the latent heat of fusion of a certain
substance is

H ( fusion )=

( m , s )( sp . heat , s ) (TsTf )( m , m) ( sp . heat , s)(Tf Tm)

mass of matter

where m,s is the mass of the solvent and m,m is the mass of the substance to be melted. Additionally, sp.heat, s
is the specific heat of the solvent. Ts is the initial temperature of the solvent only, Tm is the initial temperature of
the matter only and lastly, Tf is the final temperature of the solution. The equation would indicate how much
energy in the form of heat was absorbed or emitted.

Figure 1. Graph of heat added through different phase changes for water

Water salinity is the salt concentration of a salt-water solution. When salt is dissolved in water more
ionic bonds form between NaCl ions and the water molecules and these bonds are harder to break than the
Experiment 10: Determination of the Latent Heat of Fusion of Water
University of the Philippines, Quezon City, Philippines
17 April 2015

hydrogen bonds only in the pure water. In order to determine the effect of increasing salt concentration to the
temperature needed to melt the ice the slope of the salinity versus heat of fusion graph should be utilized. The
slope would indicate whether the two criteria are directly or indirectly proportional to each other. Also, the
magnitude of the slope could give an overview on how much the salt concentration affects the latent heat of
fusion.

2. Methodology
First, assemble the calorimeter then heat up distilled water up to around 40-45C and while heating,
record the temperature of ice (Tice). Pour the heated water in the calorimeter, record volume of water poured in,
then quickly cover the calorimeter. Insert thermometer through the lid then record the temperature of H2O (Tw).
Insert ice cubes, stir until fully melted, then record temperature. Repeat until minimum temperature reaches 8-12
C (Tfinal). Using a graduated cylinder, measure the final volume of water. Subtract final volume to the initial
volume measured. The result will be the volume of ice inserted. Compute for the experimental value for heat of
fusion of water.
process
water.

Salt concentration (M)

0.82515806667
0.928302825
1.06091718
1.23773671

Temperature (C)
98.73333
116.8795
131.7333
156.2364

Repeat for 2 trials. Repeat whole

for different concentrations of salt

3. Results and Discussion

The experiment was done under
I CANT ORGANIZE MY THOUGHTS T.T
A Grubbs test was also utilized to determine any outlier in the data set and the results
indicate
that no data gathered for the
Trial
Experimental Value (cal/g)
five
trials is an outlier. lalalalalala
1
2
3
4
5

67.45946
65.64058
67.93333
63.03333
71.25714

Experiment 10: Determination of the Latent Heat of Fusion of Water

University of the Philippines, Quezon City, Philippines
17 April 2015

4. Conclusion
The five values of the latent heat of fusion obtained from the five trials done are 67.46 cal/g, 65.64
cal/g, 67.93 cal/g, 63.03 cal/g, and 71.25 cal/g. The mean value was calculated to be 67.06 cal/g. Given that the
theoretical value of the latent heat of fusion from journals is 80.00 cal/g, percent deviation of the mean
experimental value is 16.17%. The equation for the saline water concentration and the latent heat of fusion
graph is y=136.09x - 11.97 with and R 2 of 0.9947. This shows that the two values for the property of the
substance are highly linear. The positive slope also indicates that the two criteria are directly proportional with
each other and given the value of the slope being 136.09 also indicates that the concentration of water affects the
latent heat of fusion largely. The 16.17% deviation in the determination of the latent heat of fusion of water
using pure distilled water only could be mainly attributed to some error in the calorimeter setup and the
environment of the substance tested as well as misreading of the thermometer.

5. Acknowledgements
We would like to extend our gratitude to our instructor, Mr. Lean Dasallas for the guidance during the
experiment proper. The National Institute of Physics for the materials, venue, opportunity and knowledge
without which conducting this experiment would not be possible. Our deepest appreciation also for the
assistance of the laboratory in-charge and our classmates, with whom weve shared this experience together.

6. References
1.
2.
3.

Young, H., Freedman, R., & Ford, A. L. (2008). University Physics With Modern Physics (12th ed.).
Addison-Wesley Publishing Co.
Wagner, D. J. (2001). Introduction to Magnetism and Induced Currents. Retrieved October 4, 2014,
from http://www.rpi.edu/dept/phys/ScIT/InformationStorage/faraday/magnetism_a.html
(n.d.). Retrieved October 4, 2014, from http://hyperphysics.phyastr.gsu.edu/hbase/magnetic/elemag.html

Experiment 10: Determination of the Latent Heat of Fusion of Water

University of the Philippines, Quezon City, Philippines
17 April 2015