Chemistry for the IB Diploma

Topic 5 Practical 1
Enthalpy change of neutralisation
Safety

1.00 mol dm3 sodium hydroxide is corrosive.

Wear eye protection.

Apparatus and materials

1.00 mol dm3 hydrochloric acid

1.00 mol dm3 sodium hydroxide
25 cm3 pipette
measuring cylinder

thermometer
polystyrene cup
glass rod stirrer

Introduction
The aim of this experiment is to determine the enthalpy change of neutralisation for various
combinations of acids and alkalis.

Procedure
1

Pipette 25.0 cm3 of 1.00 mol dm3 hydrochloric acid into a polystyrene cup. The polystyrene
cup will be your calorimeter.

Measure out 30.0 cm3 of 1.00 mol dm3 sodium hydroxide in a measuring cylinder (Care!).

Measure the temperature of the acid and of the alkali.

Add the alkali to the acid, stir rapidly and measure the maximum temperature reached.

The experiment should be repeated and then the same procedure carried out with the other acids
and alkalis available.

Questions
1

Balance the equation for the reaction between hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide.

Work out the number of moles of water formed.

Work out the energy released during this reaction.

Work out the enthalpy change of neutralisation for this reaction.

Copyright Cambridge University Press 2014. All rights reserved.

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Chemistry for the IB Diploma

Copyright Cambridge University Press 2014. All rights reserved.

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