The Effect of Molarity of Hydrochloric Acid and Mass of Magnesium on the Change in

Temperature of the Reaction Between

Hydrochloric Acid and Magnesium
Madeline Burgin Meredith Hinz Heidi Russo
Macomb Mathematics Science and Technology Center
Chemistry IDS FST
Section 10C
Mrs. Dewey / Mrs. Hilliard / Mr. Supal
21 May 2015

Table of Contents
Introduction..................................................................................................1
Review of Literature.....................................................................................3
Problem Statement......................................................................................9
Experimental Design..................................................................................10
Data and Observations..............................................................................12
Data Analysis and Interpretation................................................................17
Conclusion.................................................................................................24
Appendix A.................................................................................................28
Appendix B.................................................................................................29
Appendix C.................................................................................................30
Appendix D.................................................................................................31
Works Cited................................................................................................32

Burgin-Hinz-Russo 1
Introduction
Around the world, there are people who do not have the basic luxuries of
first world countries such as running water or a way to heat food. Another such
luxury is the stove, and without a stove or fire, it is incredibly difficult to cook food
and stay healthy. For example, eating undercooked poultry products can lead to
the development of salmonellosis, a disease that causes fever, vomiting,
dehydration, and multiple other symptoms ("Gastroenteritis - Salmonellosis).
Many prepackaged foods that do not require heat are very unhealthy. However,
exothermic reactions, reactions that result in the evolution of heat (Hilliard), can
provide an alternative heat source for cooking food such as eggs and raw meat.
These could improve and save lives of people around the globe. To contribute to
this field of research, an experiment was conducted with the purpose of
determining the effects of the mass of magnesium and the molarity of
hydrochloric acid on the change in temperature of the reaction between
magnesium and hydrochloric acid.
The objective of this experiment was to create more efficient ways to
produce the most heat in the least amount of time, a concept that can be applied
to many different situations such as cooking food without a stove or creating
hand warmers. Cooking food such as raw meat requires a high temperature to
kill the bacteria in the food, and an exothermic reaction alternative to fire could
achieve this by generating large amounts of heat in a short amount of time. To
accomplish this, a two-factor DOE was conducted to compare the changes in
temperature of varying combinations of amounts of magnesium and molarities of

Burgin-Hinz-Russo 2
hydrochloric acid. The combination with the greatest change in temperature
within the time frame was determined to be the best and most efficient way to
produce heat quickly.
Exothermic reactions have multiple practical real-world uses, including
heating food and creating heat to help people stay warm. Exothermic reactions
can be used in hand warmers during outside activities such as skiing or sledding.
These hand warmers contain iron powder, activated charcoal, sodium chloride,
and vermiculite ("Hand Warmers"), which produces an exothermic reaction when
the pouch containing the materials is exposed to air. Another example of how an
exothermic reactions production of heat can be applied to the real world is in the
making of portable stoves. A company has produced sleeves containing
magnesium and iron which can be added to salt water to cause a reaction that
heats food. With just 13 g of the metal mixture the reaction creates temperatures
over 60 C in just 10 minutes (Isley). This creates a new method of cooking,
which can be much more convenient and portable than a stove.
This experiment and others like it could greatly improve the lives of people
around the world by efficiently producing heat. There is currently limited research
about how the interaction of mass and molarity of the reactants of a reaction can
affect heat production, so this experiment could impact the scientific community
by introducing new research and information on heat. It would also benefit the
scientific community and other communities by finding more effective ways to
produce heat.

Burgin-Hinz-Russo 3
Review of Literature
The purpose of this experiment is to determine which combination of
molarity of hydrochloric acid, HCl, and mass of magnesium, Mg, yields the
greatest change in temperature of the reaction between hydrochloric acid and
magnesium. To determine this, a two-factor DOE was conducted to compare the
rates of reaction between 1 M, 2 M, and 3 M values of molarity of HCl and 0.03 g,
0.07 g, and 0.11 g values of mass of Mg.
Hydrochloric acid, HCl, is a colorless, transparent, and pungent acid
formed by hydrogen and chlorine. HCl is classified as a strong acid, meaning it
has high concentrations of the atom H+. Because it is a strong acid, HCl ionizes
completely in water. It is used in the production of chlorides, fertilizers, and dyes.
It is also used frequently in the photographic, textile, and rubber industries.
Hydrochloric acid is corrosive to the eyes and skin if touched directly
(Hydrochloric Acid (Hydrogen Chloride)).

Figure 1. Structure of Hydrochloric Acid

Figure 1 shows the Lewis Structure of hydrochloric acid (Lewis Dot
Structures).
Magnesium, Mg, is a lightweight, silvery-white metal. It is soluble in acids
and insoluble in water. It ignites in air and burns brightly, which is why it is used in
fireworks and flares. When magnesium is being burned, it produces ultraviolet
light which is dangerous to look at directly ("Demonstrations - Burning

Burgin-Hinz-Russo 4
Magnesium").
The reaction between hydrochloric acid and magnesium produces
hydrogen gas, H2, and aqueous magnesium chloride, MgCl2, as seen in the
reaction below.
Mg(s) + 2HCl(aq) H2(g) + MgCl2(aq)
Thermodynamics is the science that deals with energy, such as heat and
work, and the relationships between the types of energy. Chemical
thermodynamics is the branch of thermodynamics that deals with chemical
reactions. The First Law of Thermodynamics, or the Law of Conservation of
Energy, states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, it can only change
forms (Energy, Enthalpy, and the First Law of Thermodynamics). In this
experiment, moles of reactant were added to the reaction to determine their
effect on the change in temperature. The internal energy increases when the
moles of reactant increases, so based on the First Law of Thermodynamics, the
greater amount of internal energy leads to a greater change in temperature when
the energy changes forms over the course of the reaction.
This research focused on the exothermic reaction between hydrochloric
acid and magnesium. In an exothermic reaction, heat is released from the
system and into the surroundings (Lewis). This can be seen in figure 2. Because
heat is being released from the system, the change in enthalpy, or heat content
transferred or released in a system at constant pressure, is negative for an
exothermic reaction. The change in enthalpy, H can be found by subtracting the
enthalpy of the reactants from the enthalpy of the products.

Burgin-Hinz-Russo 5
H =H productsHreactants
Change in enthalpy is negative for an exothermic reaction because when the
reaction releases heat to its surroundings, the enthalpy of the surroundings
(products) will increase and the enthalpy of the system (reactants) will increase.
When the enthalpy of the reactants is subtracted from the enthalpy of the
products, the enthalpy is found to be negative for the reaction ("Endothermic &
Exothermic Pwpt.).

Figure 2. Exothermic Reaction

Figure 2 shows that in an exothermic reaction, energy exits the system as
heat and enters the surroundings. It also shows that in an exothermic reaction,
enthalpy decreases as the reaction progresses. This is because the heat is
leaving the system, causing the heat to decrease. Heat is equal to enthalpy at a
constant pressure. In addition, figure 2 shows that energy enters the system from
the surroundings as heat, and the enthalpy decreases as the reaction progresses
("Enthalpy.").
In this experiment, the change in temperature was found in order to
compare the results and determine which combination of molarity of HCl and

Burgin-Hinz-Russo 6
mass of Mg yields the greatest change in temperature. The change in
temperature T can be found by subtracting the final temperature from the initial
temperature.
T = T2 - T1
Because the reaction between HCl and Mg is exothermic, the change in
temperature was always negative.
Specific heat is the heat capacity of 1 gram of a substance, so it is the
amount of heat required to raise the temperature of a substance by 1 C or 1 K.
Specific heat can be calculated using the heat q (in joules), specific heat s (in
J/g*K or J/g*C), mass m (in grams), and change in temperature T. It is used to
determine the rate of the reaction between HCl and Mg.
q=smT
Specific heat increases as the mass, and therefore number of moles, of a
reactant increases. In this experiment, the moles of magnesium and hydrochloric
acid were increased for the trials with high measurements. Also, as specific heat
increases, the amount of heat released by the reaction increases. This means
that adding more moles of reactant increases the specific heat, and therefore
increases the enthalpy and change in temperature of the reaction.
Molarity is the concentration of moles mol of a solute found in one liter L of
a solution.
M=

mol
L

When volume is held constant, molarity increases as moles of solute increases.

When moles of solute are held constant, molarity decreases as volume increases

Burgin-Hinz-Russo 7
(Olmstead and Williams 485). In this experiment, the molarity of the hydrochloric
acid (HCl) solution was changed for the high, standard, and low measurements
of the DOE. The high molarity is 3 M, which means that there are 3 moles of HCl
per one liter of HCl solution. The standard molarity is 2 M, which means that
there are 2 moles of HCl per liter of HCl solution, and the low molarity is 1 M,
which means that there is 1 mole of HCl per liter of HCl solution. This shows that
even though the volume of the HCl solutions stayed constant at 25 mL for each
trial, the number of moles was still increasing. An increased number of moles
leads to a greater change in temperature and a more negative change in
enthalpy.
In one previously conducted experiment, researchers tested different
amounts of reactants in the reaction of sodium bicarbonate and acetic acid
solution. The results of the experiment led the researchers to conclude that
adding more reactants to the reaction resulted in more carbon dioxide produced
("Controlling the Amount of Products in a Chemical Reaction"). This is similar to
the experiment on hydrochloric acid and magnesium because both reactions
have varying amounts of reactants to determine the effects on the products.
However, the product being measured in this reaction was heat, not gas. The
change in temperature was being recorded to determine what combination of
molarity of HCl and mass of Mg would produce the most heat, and therefore the
greatest change in temperature.
In another previous experiment, the researchers used five different metals,
aluminum, copper, iron, magnesium, and zinc, to compare the changes in

Burgin-Hinz-Russo 8
temperature between the metals and hydrochloric acid. The researchers
concluded that the hydrochloric acid/magnesium and the hydrochloric
acid/aluminum reactions yielded the greatest change in temperature
(Exothermic Metal-Acid Reactions). This experiment is similar to the current
experiment because both deal with exothermic reactions, specifically the reaction
between hydrochloric acid and magnesium. Information on this reaction, such as
expected temperature change and expected rate of reaction, was used to
determine the time frame for each of the reactions. However, the purpose of the
previously conducted experiment was to determine which type of metal yielded
the greatest change in temperature, while the current research used only one
type of metal (magnesium), and the purpose was to determine the effect of
different masses of magnesium on the temperature change of the reaction.

Burgin-Hinz-Russo 9
Problem Statement
Problem:
In this experiment, 0.03 g, 0.07 g, and 0.11 g masses of magnesium and 1
M, 2 M, and 3 M molarities of hydrochloric acid were tested in reactions of
hydrochloric acid and magnesium. This was meant to determine the effects of
changes in mass of magnesium and changes in molarity of hydrochloric acid on
the change in temperature.
Hypothesis:
The reaction with high molarity (3 M) and high mass (0.11 g) will yield the
greatest change in temperature.
Data Measured:
The independent variables were mass of magnesium (0.03 g, 0.07 g, and
0.11 g) and molarity (1 M, 2 M, and 3 M) of hydrochloric acid. The dependent
variable was the change in temperature (C). A two-factor DOE was conducted to
determine the effects of volume and molarity on the rate of reaction.

Burgin-Hinz-Russo 10
Experimental Design
Materials:
1.47 g (105 cm) Magnesium, Mg ribbon
50 mL Graduated cylinder
150 mL Hydrochloric acid, HCl 3 M
225 mL Hydrochloric acid, HCl 2 M
150 mL Hydrochloric acid, HCl 1 M
500 mL beaker (3)
Analytical balance (0.0001 g accuracy)

Calorimeter
Safety Apron
Safety Goggles
Temperature probe
Vernier LabQuest

Procedure:
1.

Wash hands and put on safety goggles and a safety apron.

2.

Randomize the order of trials. Refer to appendix A for the randomization

process.

3.

Using the 50 mL graduated cylinder, measure 25 mL of the standard 2 M

hydrochloric acid solution.

4.

Set the LabQuest to measure data for 300 seconds. Refer to appendix B
for instructions on how to use the LabQuest.

5.

Pour the 25 mL HCl solution into the calorimeter (refer to appendix C for
instructions on how to make the calorimeter), and set the LabQuest probe
in the solution for 30 seconds to find the initial temperature of the reaction.

6.

Measure 0.07 grams (standard measurement) of magnesium ribbon

(approximately 5 cm) using the analytical balance.

7.

Add the 0.07 g strip of magnesium to the HCl solution.

8.

Using the LabQuest temperature probe, stir the solution for 300 seconds.

9.

In the data table, record the number of seconds, to the nearest tenth, the
reaction took to complete. Also record the reactions highest
temperature.
10.

To dispose of the solution, dilute it with water, add sodium carbonate to

neutralize the solution, and pour the reaction products down the
drain of
the closest sink.
11.

Repeat steps 2-10, replacing the molarity of HCl with 3 M for the high
measurement and 1 M for the low measurement. Also replace the

Burgin-Hinz-Russo 11
magnesium strip with 0.11 g (approximately 8 cm) for the high
measurement and 0.03 g (approximately 2 cm) for the low measurement.
12.

Continue trials in the randomized order previously determined.

Diagram:

Figure 3. Materials
Figure 3 shows the materials used to conduct the experiment.

Burgin-Hinz-Russo 12
Data and Observations
Table 1
Table of Values
Factors
Molarity of HCl (M)

Mass of Mg (g)

Standard

Standard

3.00

2.00

1.00

0.11

0.07

0.03

Table 1 shows the factors and their high, low, and standard values.
Table 2
Results of the Interaction Between Molarity of HCl and Mass of Mg DOE 1
DOE

Trial

Molarity of HCl
(M)

Mass of Mg (g)

Change in
Temperature (T)

Standard

Standard

9.90

16.9

4.80

Standard

Standard

12.7

4.60

15.1

Standard

Standard

12.0

Average

10.9

Table 2 above shows the results of the experiment for DOE 1. Each set of
trials was collected over a course of an hour. To increase accuracy, the order of
the trials (excluding the standards) was randomized.
Table 3
Results of the Interaction Between Molarity of HCl and Mass of Mg DOE 2
DOE

Trial

Molarity of HCl
(M)

Mass of Mg
(g)

Change in
Temperature (T)

Burgin-Hinz-Russo 13
1

Standard

Standard

11.3

18.3

5.00

Standard

Standard

12.8

5.50

15.8

Standard

Standard

11.3

Average

11.4

Table 3 above shows the results of the experiment for DOE 2. Each set of
trials was collected over a course of an hour. To increase accuracy, the order of
the trials (excluding the standards) was randomized.
Table 4
Results of the Interaction Between Molarity of HCl and Mass of Mg DOE 3
DOE

DOE

Trial

Molarity of HCl
(M)

Mass of Mg
(g)

Standard

Standard

12.6

20.2

6.60

Standard

Standard

11.9

Trial

Molarity of HCl
(M)

Mass of Mg
(g)

4.60

13.0

Standard

Standard

11.1

Average

Change in
Temperature (T)

Change in
Temperature (T)

11.4

Burgin-Hinz-Russo 14
Table 4 above shows the results of the experiment for DOE 3. Each set of
trials was collected over a course of an hour. To increase accuracy, the order of
the trials (excluding the standards) was randomized.
Table 5
Observations of the Interaction Between Molarity of HCl and Mass of Mg DOE 1
DOE

Trial

Observations/Comments

0.0662 g, Calorimeter A, reaction emitted a loud sound,

many visible bubbles, high amounts of visible steam,
moderate smell

0.1065 g, Calorimeter A, high amount of bubbling, reaction

emitted a loud sound, high amounts of visible steam, strong
smell, bubbling ended at approximately 40 s

0.0267 g, Calorimeter A, reaction emitted a loud sound,

moderate visible steam, bubbling ended at approximately
18 s

0.0674 g, Calorimeter B, visible steam immediately,

reaction emitted a loud sound, moderate smell, steep
increase in temperature

0.0282 g, Calorimeter B, emitted more bubbling and noise

as the reaction progressed

0.1085 g, Calorimeter B, very little visible steam, low

bubbling, very weak noise, steady but slow increase in
temperature

DOE

Trial

Observations/Comments
0.0697 g, Calorimeter B, high amounts of visible steam,
noise from bubbling began immediately

Table 5 above shows the recorded observations of the reactions for the
first DOE.
Table 6
Observations of the Interaction Between Molarity of HCl and Mass of Mg DOE 2
DOE

Trial

Observations/Comments

Burgin-Hinz-Russo 15

0.0676 g, Calorimeter A, visible steam, Bubbled for around

40 seconds

0.1082 g, Calorimeter A, strong smell, low amounts of

visible steam

0.0265 g, Calorimeter A, high amounts of visible steam

immediately, low bubbling, weak smell

0.0691 g, Calorimeter B, high amounts of bubbling and

noise, steep increase in temperature, visible steam

0.1054 g, Calorimeter B, very low bubbling, low amounts of

visible steam, very weak smell

0.0264 g, Calorimeter B, high amounts of bubbling, low

amounts of visible steam, weak smell

0.0665 g, Calorimeter A, strong smell

Table 6 shows the recorded observations of the reactions for the second
DOE.
Table 7
Observations of the Interaction Between Molarity of HCl and Mass of Mg DOE 3
DOE

Trial

DOE

Trial

Observations/Comments
0.0684 g, Calorimeter B, strong smell, high amounts of
bubbling and noise
Observations/Comments

0.1094 g, Calorimeter B, very high amounts of visible

steam, high amounts of bubbling and noise, very strong
smell

0.0308 g, Calorimeter B, high amounts of bubbling and

noise, moderate smell

0.0707 g, Calorimeter A, high bubbling, visible steam,

strong smell, high amounts of bubbling and noise, bubbling
stopped around 40 s

0.1052 g, Calorimeter A, low bubbling, low amounts of

constant noise, very little visible steam, weak smell,
bubbling continued for 260 s

Burgin-Hinz-Russo 16

0.0275 g, Calorimeter A, low bubbling, no visible steam,

weak smell, low amounts of bubbling and noise

0.0666 g, Calorimeter B, visible steam, weak smell,

moderate amounts of bubbling and noise

Table 7 above shows the recorded observations of the reactions for the
third DOE.

Figure 4. Gas Production

Figure 4 shows the gas production that was emitted in a high-high trial
from the third DOE.
Data Analysis and Interpretation
To collect data for the reaction between magnesium, Mg, and hydrochloric
acid, HCl, the researchers used a Vernier LabQuest to record the temperature of
the reaction. The change in temperature, T, was found using the highest
temperature and the initial temperature. Two factors were altered during the
experiment, molarity of HCl and mass of Mg, so a two-factor DOE, or design of
experiment, was performed to analyze the data. Two factors were manipulated in

Burgin-Hinz-Russo 17
order observe their individual and interaction effects. The researchers chose to
conduct a DOE in order to manipulate several factors at one time and determine
important interactions between the factors. To ensure validity, the DOE was
repeated three times, and the order of trials was randomized for each DOE.
Three standard trials were performed during each DOE to create a basis of
comparison, or control value, to compare the results of the other trials.
Table 8
Table of Values
Factors
Molarity of HCl (M)

Mass of Mg (g)

Standard

Standard

3.00

2.00

1.00

0.11

0.07

0.03

Table 8 shows the high, low, and standard values for the two factors of this
experiment: molarity of HCl and the mass of Mg.

Table 9
Average Data
Trials

First DOE
T (C)

Second
DOE
T (C)

Third DOE
T (C)

Average
T (C)

Molarity of
HCl (M)

Mass of
Mg (g)

Standard

Standard

9.90

11.3

12.6

11.3

16.9

18.3

20.2

18.5

4.80

5.00

6.60

5.47

Standard

Standard

12.7

12.8

11.9

12.5

4.60

5.50

4.60

4.90

Burgin-Hinz-Russo 18
-

15.1

15.8

13.0

14.6

Standard

Standard

12.0

11.3

11.1

11.5

Table 9 shows the average changes in temperature for the three DOEs.
The average data was used in the computations to increase accuracy.

Figure 5. Three Standard Runs

Figure 5 shows the trends between the averages of the standard trials
conducted in the three DOE experiments. The averages are fairly consistent, with
a range of only 1.20 C. This suggests that the results of the experiment are
valid.
Table 10
Effect of Molarity of Hydrochloric Acid
Molarity of HCl (M)
(-)

(+)
4.90

18.5

14.6

5.47

Avg. 9.75

Avg. 12.0

Burgin-Hinz-Russo 19

Table 10 shows the average low and high measurements of the change in
temperature C for molarity.

Figure 6. Effect of Molarity of Hydrochloric Acid

Figure 6 shows the average low and high change in temperature C for
molarity. The difference between the low and high measurements indicate the
effect value, so the effect of molarity is 2.25. This means that as molarity of HCl
was increased from 1.00 M to 3.00 M, the change in temperature increased by
2.25 C.
Table 11
Effect of Mass of Magnesium
Mass of Mg (g)
(-)

(+)
5.47

18.5

4.90

14.6

Avg. 5.19

Avg. 16.6

Burgin-Hinz-Russo 20
Table 11 shows the average low and high measurements of the change in
temperature C for the mass of magnesium. The average of the both the high
and low amounts were found.

Figure 7. Effect of Mass of Magnesium

Figure 7 shows the average low and high change in temperature C for
the mass of Mg. The difference between the low and high measurements
indicates the effect of mass, so the effect value was found to be 11.4. This means
that as the mass of magnesium was increased from 0.03 g to 0.11 g, the change
in temperature during the reaction increased by 11.4 C.
Table 12
Interaction of Molarity and Mass
DOE Averages

Mass
of Mg
(g)

Molarity of HCl (M)

(-) Amt

(+) Amt

Solid
Segment

(+) Amt

14.6

18.5

Dotted
Segment

(-) Amt

4.90

5.47

Burgin-Hinz-Russo 21

Table 12 shows the average rates of reaction for each combination of low
and high molarity and mass. Each combination was found by taking the average
from all three DOE experiments.

Figure 8. Interaction of Molarity and Mass

Figure 8 shows the interaction between molarity of hydrochloric acid and
mass of magnesium. The solid segment represents the high measurement of
mass (0.11 g) and the dotted segment represents the low measurement of mass
(0.03 g). To calculate the interaction effect, the slope of the dotted segment has
to be subtracted from the slope of the solid segment. The slope of the solid
segment is 1.95, and the slope of the dotted segment is 0.285, so the interaction
of molarity and mass is 1.67. This means that as molarity and mass both
increase from their low to high amounts, the change in temperature of the
reaction increases by 1.67 C.

Burgin-Hinz-Russo 22

Figure 9. Dot Plot of Effects

Figure 9 shows the effects of molarity, mass, and their interaction plotted
on a line graph. Effects outside the fences, which show double the range of
standards (1.20) are considered significant. Double the range of standards is
2.40, so the only effect found to be significant was the mass of magnesium.
11.4
Mass+ noise
2
Figure 10. Parsimonious Prediction Equation
y=10.9 GA +

The parsimonious prediction equation seen in figure 10 contains only the

grand average, the significant effects, and noise, the unquantifiable variable that
cannot be seen or controlled. The effects are all divided by two. The only effect
found to be significant was mass of magnesium, so the parsimonious equation
contains only the grand average (10.9) and the effect of mass (11.4). When
interpolated data, or data that is within a known set of data points, is used, the
parsimonious prediction equation can be used to predict the results of future
trials.

Burgin-Hinz-Russo 23
Conclusion
The purpose of this experiment was to determine the effects of the mass
of magnesium, Mg, and the molarity of hydrochloric acid, HCl, on the change in
temperature of the exothermic reaction between magnesium and hydrochloric
acid. To do this, a two-factor DOE was conducted using 0.03 g, 0.07 g, and 0.11
g masses of magnesium and 1 M, 2 M, and 3 M molarities of hydrochloric acid to
produce reactions. The hypothesis for the experiment was that the reaction with
high molarity (3 M) and high mass (0.11 g) would yield the greatest change in
temperature. The hypothesis was accepted because the average result of the
high-high, (3 M, 0.11 g) trials yielded the greatest change in temperature, 18.5
C.
The data supports the hypothesis. It was hypothesized that the trial with
high molarity of HCl and high mass of Mg would produce the greatest change in
temperature. This was concluded to be true because the trials with high molarity
of HCl (3 M) and high mass of Mg (0.11 g) averaged to a change in temperature
of 18.5 C, which was the greatest difference. Additionally, the trials with low
molarity of HCl (1 M) and low mass of Mg (0.03 g) averaged to the lowest change
in temperature (4.90 C), which provides more evidence to support the
hypothesis.
Enthalpy is the amount of heat content transferred or released in a system
at constant pressure (Enthalpy). As the number of moles of reactants increases,
the enthalpy of a reaction increases by the same factor. This is because the
specific heat, or the amount of heat per unit mass required to raise the

Burgin-Hinz-Russo 24
temperature by one degree Celsius, increases as the mass increases. As the
specific heat of the reactants increases, the enthalpy of the reaction also
increases because the total heat content of the reactants is greater than it was
before. Therefore, as more reactants are added to a reaction, the enthalpy of the
reaction increases. This is why the trials with 3 M HCl and 0.11 g Mg yielded the
highest enthalpy.
As enthalpy increases and more heat is released from the reaction, the
change in temperature also increases. This is a result of more reactants being
added to the reaction. As more reactants are added, the enthalpy increases, so
the total heat released by the reaction increases. Temperature is a measure of
heat, so as the enthalpy increases, the temperature change increases.
In a previously conducted experiment, researchers tested different
amounts of reactants in the reaction of sodium bicarbonate and acetic acid
solution. The results of the experiment lead the researchers to conclude that
adding more reactants to the reaction resulted in more carbon dioxide produced
("Controlling the Amount of Products in a Chemical Reaction"). In the reaction
between hydrochloric acid and magnesium, heat was a product released by the
reaction. The results of the experiment of the reaction between HCl and Mg
agree with this previous experiment because they both resulted in more products
being formed when more reactants were added to the reaction. However, the
product being measured in this experiment was heat, not a gas like carbon
dioxide.

Burgin-Hinz-Russo 25
Though the experiment and the results went as planned, there were some
errors. In DOE 1 trial low-low, the time was set for 180 seconds, which was not
consistent with the other trials. Each of the other trials was set for 300 seconds.
However, the reaction had enough time to reach its highest temperature and
become constant, so overall, the time did not affect the outcome of the trial.
Another possible error was that the calorimeters were closed systems, not
isolated systems, meaning that they allowed some heat to escape the system. If
the reaction was to be done in an isolated system, the reaction would retain its
final temperature instead of decrease when the reaction is over. Also, an isolated
system would be less susceptible to outside factors, so there would be no
possibility of error through outside forces. However, there were no noticeable
flaws in the data, so the calorimeters did not appear to have an effect on the
data.
The experimental design was followed thoroughly and it did not lead to
any issues with the experiment. While each trial was being recorded on the
LabQuest, the researchers were setting up the next trial, which aided in the
efficiency and organization of the experiment.
Further research could be conducted to make more progress in this field,
including discovering reusable materials for exothermic reactions. Additional
experiments including hydrochloric acid and magnesium could be conducted to
compare the effects of molarity and mass on different factors, such as rate of
reaction. Different metals could also be used to react with hydrochloric acid to
compare the effects of that reaction to the reaction of hydrochloric acid and

Burgin-Hinz-Russo 26
magnesium. Similarly, different acidic solutions could be used to react with
magnesium to determine which type of acid and molarity yields the largest
temperature. Expanding on this research could be used to develop new
technology involving heat, such as portable stoves and hand warmers. It could
also benefit the scientific community by contributing research that is currently
limited. This research and further research could be used to find ways for
exothermic reactions to be used in place of fire, which could create a safer and
more convenient alternative to creating heat.

Burgin-Hinz-Russo 27
Appendix A: Randomization of Trials
Materials:
Ti-NSpire calculator
Procedure:
1.

From the Ti-NSpire home menu, open a calculator page.

2.

Press menu button and select option 5: Probability.

3.

On the probability menu, scroll to option 4: Random.

4.

From the random menu, scroll to option 6: Seed.

5.

The calculator page will now display RandSeed. To seed the calculator,
enter a random number after RandSeed and press enter.

6.

Press the menu button and select option 5: Probability again, then select
option 2: Integer.

7.

Enter 1,7 into the parentheses. Hit enter until 2, 3, 5, and 6 are
generated. The standard trials are in a fixed position, so if numbers 1, 4,
and 7 appear, disregard them and continue to the next number.

8.

Repeat steps 1-7 for each DOE.

Burgin-Hinz-Russo 28
Appendix B: LabQuest Set-up
Materials:
Vernier LabQuest
Procedure:
1.

Turn on LabQuest by pressing the power button in the top left corner.

2.

Press File and select New.

3.

When a new screen appears, select Duration and set the duration of
data collection to 300 seconds.

4.

Attach the temperature probe to the LabQuest.

5.

When the reaction is ready to begin, place the temperature probe in the
calorimeter and press the play button in the center to begin data
collection.

6.

To end data collection before the 300 seconds is over, press the stop
button on the screen. Data collection will automatically end when the 300
seconds is over.

7.

To save the file, insert a flash drive and select File then Save as and
press Save when it is in the correct location.

Burgin-Hinz-Russo 29
Appendix C: Calorimeter Construction
Materials:
3 x 8.5 PVC pipe (2)
1.5 x 8.5 PVC pipe (2)
1.5 inch test cap (2)
Duct tape

3 inch snap-in PVC cap (2)

Loctite clear silicone sealant
0.5 inch foam pipe insulation

Procedure:
1.

Using the sealant, make a ring around the outside of the 1.5 inch test cap.

2.

Press the 1.5 inch PVC pipe onto the cap, making sure the cap is
completely inside of the pipe.

3.

Wrap the insulation around the 1.5 inch PVC pipe.

4.

Using the sealant, glue the wrapped PVC pipe to the inside of the 3 inch
snap-in cap.

5.

Place a ring of sealant on the outside of the 3 inch cap and press the 3
inch PVC pipe onto the cap. Make sure the cap is completely inside of the
pipe.

6.

On the top of the calorimeter, use tape to cover and seal the space
between the two pipes.

7.

Repeat steps 1-6 to make the second calorimeter.

Burgin-Hinz-Russo 30
Appendix D: Sample Calculation
T =T 2T 1
T =25.4 C20.6 C
T =4.8 C

Figure 11. Change in Temperature

Burgin-Hinz-Russo 31
Figure 11 above shows a sample calculation of finding the change in
temperature for a reaction. This equation was used when finding the change in
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Burgin-Hinz-Russo 32
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