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Chemistry SL/HL: Determining enthalpy change of neutralization

Enthalpy change of neutralization is enthalpy change when 1 mol of water is formed as

acid and base react in standard condition. Enthalpy change of neutralization is always exothermic
(the value is negative). It means neutralization reactions always give out heat to the surrounding
causing the increase of temperature of the surrounding.
When measuring the enthalpy change of neutralization, the energy released by the reaction
is absorbed by the surrounding, which is the solution, hence increases the temperature of the
solution. It is expressed in this equation: Qneutralization = Qsolution. Qneutralization is the energy released
by the neutralization reaction; and Qsolution is the energy absorbed by the solution where the
reaction takes place.
Today we will try to understanding the principle in measuring and calculating the enthalpy change
of neutralization through practical application: determining the enthalpy change of neutralization
between an acid and an alkali.

Determining the enthalpy change of neutralization between HCl and NaOH.

Procedures:
1. Using measuring cylinder take 50.0 ml of HCl 1.0 mol dm-3 and put into a 250 ml beaker
glass.
2. Using a thermometer, measure the temperature of the acid. Record your data.
3. Take 50.0 ml of NaOH 1.0 mol dm-3 using measuring cylinder and then put into a 50 ml
beaker glass. Measure the temperature of the alkali and take note.
4. Prepare a calorimeter with its insulation.
5. Put the acid into the calorimeter and measure the temperature of the acid. Record your
data.
6. Put the thermometer inside the calorimeter and then put the NaOH solution into the
calorimeter.
7. Stir the mixture with thermometer and observe the highest temperature reached. Record
your data.
Calculating the enthalpy change of neutralization between HCl and NaOH
A. Calculate the Qsolution = mass of solution x specific heat capacity of solution x Tsolution
1. What is the mass of the solution?
50mL HCL and 50 mL NaOH

2. What is the specific heat capacity of the solution?

4.184 J/gram celcius

3. What is the temperature change of the solution?

26.81 - 20 = 6.81 celcius

Put all those values into the formula above and calculate the Qsolution. What is the Qsolution?
Q = 100 x 4.184 x -6.81 = 2842.4 J/oC

B. Qneutralization = Qsolution. What is the Qneutralization?

This is the amount of heat released by the reaction of HCl and NaOH.
Using the definition of enthalpy change of neutralization above, what do you need to do next to
find the value of the enthalpy change of neutralization between HCl and NaOH?

a. Find mole of water form in reaction

HCl (aq) + NaOH (aq) -> NaCl (aq) + H2O (l)

Mole of water = 0.05mol

b. Find Q of 1 mol of water

2849.3/0.05 = -56986 J = -56.986 kJ/mol
C. The accepted value for Hneutralization of HCl and NaOH is -58.0 kJ/mol. Compare the value from
the experiment and the accepted value. Suggest possible reasons for the difference between
the accepted value and the value from the experiment.
Because of the apparatus may not insulate the solution well.
(58-57)/58 x 100% = 1.7%
 Chemistry SL/HL: Determining enthalpy change of solution

Enthalpy change of dissolution is the enthalpy change when 1 mol of solute is dissolved
in excess solvent to give a solution with “infinite dilution.” Infinite dilution is a state when in a
solution all solute’s particles are surrounded by the solvent’s particles. In other words, there is no
interaction between the particles of the solutes. Enthalpy change of solution can be exothermic or
endothermic. The basic principle in measuring the enthalpy change of solution is the amount of
energy released or taken in during the dissolution process equals to the amount of heat absorbed
or given out by the surrounding, which is the final solution: Qdissolution = Qsolution
In this activity we will try to measure and calculate the enthalpy change of dissolution of two
different compounds: ammonium nitrate
Procedures:
1. Prepare 200 ml of distilled water and put into a calorimeter with its insulation.
2. Measure the temperature of the water and record your data.
3. Weigh 1.0 gram of NH4NO3 and put into the water. Stir the water to ensure complete
dissolution of NH4NO3 and record the temperature of the solution.

Calculating the enthalpy change of dissolution of NH4NO3

A. Calculate the Qsolution = mass of solution x specific heat capacity of solution x Tsolution
4. What is the mass of the solution?
200ml

5. What is the specific heat capacity of the solution?

4.18 J/g celsius

6. What is the temperature change of the solution?

0.38 celsius

Put all those values into the formula above and calculate the Qsolution. What is the Qsolution?
Q = 200 x 4.18 x 0.39
= 317.98 J

B. Qdissolution = Qsolution. What is the Qdissolution?

This is the amount of heat taken in as NH4NO3 dissolves in water.
Using the definition of enthalpy change of dissolution above, what do you need to do next to find
the value of the enthalpy change of dissolution of NH4NO3?
a. Find mole of NH4NO3 dissolved
Mol= mass/mr = 1/80.06 = 0.0125 mol

b. Find Q/mol = 3.17.98/0.0125 = 25438 J/mol = 25.4 KJ/mol

C. The accepted value for Hdissolution of NH4NO3 is +25.4 kJ/mol

(http://pulse.pharmacy.arizona.edu/resources/heatofsolution.pdf). Compare the value from the
experiment and the accepted value. Suggest possible reasons for the difference between the
accepted value and the value from the experiment.