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Determining Best Calorimeter Experiment

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Chemistry Lab Report
Determining Best Calorimeter

Dylan Mendonca
12-B

Background: Calorimetry is the science of measuring the heat of chemical reactions or physical changes. Calorimetry is performed with a calorimeter. A calorimeter can be any container from a cup to a Calorimeters need to be well insulated as calorimetry relies on the fact that temperature change only occurs within the solution and that no heat escapes to the surroundings. That is why it is important that calorimeters are well insulated. However, heat loss cannot be avoided so scientists, when conducting experiments, need to choose the calorimeter that allows least heat energy to escape, therefore, retaining as much heat within the solution
Research Question: By …show more content…

Only keep a pen and paper away from the experiment to record results
Procedure:
1. Rinse both measuring cylinders with distilled water then rinse one measuring cylinder with hydrochloric acid (HCl) and another with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) 2. Using one of the disposable pipettes, measure 40cm3 of NaOH (1.0M) in the measuring cylinder you rinsed with NaOH and pour this into Calorimeter #1 (Glass Beaker). Place thermometer inside solution 3. Using the other disposable pipette, measure 40 cm3 of HCl (1.0M) in the other measuring cylinder 4. Now record initial temperature of NaOH on the thermometer 5. Add the 40cm3 of HCl to the NaOH solution, close the calorimeter with the lid (making sure that the thermometer sticks through the hole) and start the stopwatch 6. Since the reaction is very quick, record the temperature every 5 seconds for 45 seconds. If the temperature doesn’t reach a stable value after 45 seconds, continue to take readings of temperature 7. Wash glass beaker with distilled water and repeat steps 1-6 with same calorimeter 2 more times 8. Repeat steps 1-7 with Calorimeter #2 (Styrofoam Cup) and Calorimeter #3 (Copper Cup)

Table 1 – Raw and Processed Data from Experiment for Calorimeter #1: Time (s) | Temperature (°C) (±0.5°C) | Average Temperature (°C) (±0.5°C)

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