INTRODUCTION

The transfer of thermal energy between two bodies that were at different temperatures from
higher temperature to lower temperature was called heat. When two objects were placed in contact,
heat was transferred from one to the other until they reached the same temperature or thermal
equilibrium. The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of an object by one degree Celsius
was called the heat capacity. The heat flow was determined by measuring the change in temperature
they caused in their surroundings with the use of an apparatus called a calorimeter. A container with a
thermometer, stirrer, and insulating walls consisted the calorimeter. Between the contents and the
surroundings, there was the prohibition of heat exchange.

This experiment was designed to introduce some techniques and concepts associated with
measuring heat in a chemical reaction. To determine the heat capacity of a calorimeter, to determine
the amount of heat absorbed or released when solid dissolved in water to form a solution, and to
determine and compare the amount of heat involved in the three related reactions were the objectives
of the experiment.

METHODOLOGY

Materials and Apparatus

Two 8-oz Styrofoam cups with insulated cover (Styrofoam or cardboard) Ice cube

Glass stirring rod HCl, 0.25 M solution

Laboratory thermometer (0.1-deg calibration) HCl, 0.5 M solution

Filter paper NaOH, 0.5 M solution

250-mL beaker NaOH (s) pellets

Procedure

In the first part of the experiment, the 100 mL of distilled water was poured into the Styrofoam
cup. The cup and the water were allowed to come to thermal equilibrium for about 5 minutes and then
the initial temperature (t1) was recorded. A piece of filter paper was placed into a 250-mL beaker to
serve as a lining. A cube of ice covered with another filter paper was also placed into the beaker and
then the weight together (w1) was recorded. After that, the ice was dropped into the Styrofoam cup
with water. The mixture was stirred and the temperature was recorded at one-minute intervals for
about 15 minutes. The empty beaker with filter paper (w2) was weighed and recorded. The constant
temperature (t2) reached by the mixture in the Styrofoam cup was noted.

In the second part of the experiment, the 200 mL of distilled water was poured into the
Styrofoam cup. The cup and the water were allowed to come to thermal equilibrium for about 5 minutes
and then the initial temperature (t1) was recorded. The 2.0 g (±0.1) of solid sodium hydroxide (NaOH)
was weighed precisely and quickly. The watch glass was used to contain the NaOH. After that, the NaOH
was poured into the water in the Styrofoam cup. The mixture was stirred and the temperature was
recorded at one-minute intervals for about 15 minutes. The highest temperature (t2) obtained was
recorded. The solution was discarded properly. The cup and thermometer were rinsed thoroughly with
water after the second part of the experiment. The cup and thermometer were dried with tissue paper.

In the third part of the experiment, the 200 mL of 0.25 M HCl was poured into the Styrofoam
cup. The cup and the HCl were allowed to come to thermal equilibrium for about 5 minutes and then the
initial temperature (t1) was recorded. The 2.0 g (±0.1) of solid NaOH was weighed precisely and quickly.
The watch glass was used to contain the NaOH. After that, the NaOH was poured into the HCl in the
Styrofoam cup. The mixture was stirred and the temperature was recorded at one-minute intervals for
about 15 minutes. The highest temperature (t2) obtained was recorded. The solution was discarded
properly. The cup and thermometer were rinsed thoroughly with water after the third part of the
experiment. The cup and thermometer were dried with tissue paper.

In the last part of the experiment, the 100 mL of 0.5 M HCl was measured and poured into the
Styrofoam cup and the 100 mL of 0.50 M NaOH was measured and poured into a 250-mL beaker. The
HCl and the NaOH were allowed to come to thermal equilibrium for about 5 minutes and then the initial
temperature (t1) was recorded. After that, the NaOH was added to the hydrochloric acid (HCl) solution in
the Styrofoam cup. The mixture was stirred quickly and the temperature was recorded at one-minute
intervals for about 5 minutes. The highest temperature (t2) obtained was recorded. The solution was
discarded properly. The cup and other apparatus were rinsed thoroughly with water after the last part
of the experiment. The cup and other apparatus were dried with tissue paper.