Experiment #1 / Unit 7

Heat of Fusion for Dihydrogen Monoxide

Introduction:
The heat of fusion of a substance represents the amount of heat energy which is
absorbed as the substance changes from a solid to a liquid. In this experiment, we will
use a melting ice cube to determine the molar heat of fusion (Hfus) for H2O.

Procedure:
1. Measure 100.X mL of warm water using a graduated cylinder (be sure to record
exact volume) and pour into a Styrofoam cup. This will be your calorimeter.
2. Measure and record the temperature of the warm water (be sure to always read the
thermometer to the 10ths place).
3. Place some (approx.8-11) ice cubes into the warm water.
4. Stir using the thermometer until the temperature of the water is less than 1.0˚C.
Record the lowest temperature reached by the water.
5. Use tongs to remove any unmelted ice. Allow any water on the ice to drip back into
the cup. Discard unmelted ice in sink.
6. Measure the final volume of water in the cup.

Data:
 Initial volume of warm water
 Initial temperature of warm water
 Lowest temperature reached by water
 Final volume of water and melted ice

Calculations and Questions:

1. Draw a heating curve for water. Be sure to label the axes and the five segments of the
graph. On your heating curve, indicate which segments correspond to the following:
(a) the melting ice, and (b) the cooling water in the calorimeter.
2. Determine how much heat energy was lost by the warm water.
3. Determine how much heat energy was gained by the ice cube as it melted.
4. Determine the mass of ice that melted.
5. Calculate the heat of fusion (ΔHfus) for water in units of cal/g. Note: You may assume
that the initial temperature of your ice was 0˚C and thus all energy absorbed went
toward the melting process.
6. Calculate your percent error for ΔHfus. The accepted value is +80. cal/g
7. Calculate the molar heat of fusion (kcal/mol) for water using your experimental value.
8. Look at the equation for heat transfer (calculating heat lost/gained). Consider “heat
leaks” (i.e., heat transfer not just between the water and the ice). What are some
ways that energy could have been “leaked”; added to or dissipated from the system
(ice-water)?

9. (a) Calculate the total heat energy required to melt to a 10.0 pound block of ice.

Honors Chemistry Raleigh Charter High School Dr. Genez

 Assume the ice has an initial temperature of −15.0˚C. Hint: You will need to know that
the specific heat capacity of ice is 0.504 cal/g.oC.
(b) How many Big Macs (591 kcal) would represent the potential energy needed to
melt this block of ice?
10. Read pp. 426-428 in Chemistry, 6th Ed. by Chang.
(a) What is the most unusual property of H2O in the solid state?
(b) Explain why H2O, compared to other polar molecules, has this unique property.
(c) What forces must be overcome in order to melt a glacier and allow the water
molecules to flow freely?

Lab Report #7.1:

 title page
 procedure sheet
 data
 calculations and questions

Honors Chemistry Raleigh Charter High School Dr. Genez