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) is exothermic:
2
H O 2+
2
CaCl ( ) Ca ( ) + 2Cl ( ) H 81.5 kJ/mol s aq aq
To make a calorimeter, follow the directions below, using
the diagram provided as a guide.
1. First, obtain 2 foam coffee cups of the same size. Cut
a lid for one cup from a piece of stiff foam or cork so
that it fits snugly into the top of the cup, as shown in
the diagram.
2. Next, drill 2 holes in the lid. One hole should be large
enough so that a thermometer can be inserted
through it. The second should allow a glass stirring
rod to be inserted through it.
3. Nest one coffee cup inside the other. Two cups will
help to provide enough insulation to minimize heat
loss to the surroundings during the experiment.
To run the reaction, follow these steps:
4. Weigh 100 g water at room temperature in the calorimeter. Place the lid on
the calorimeter and insert the thermometer. When the thermometer reaches a
steady reading, record the temperature of the water.
5. Next weigh 5.0 g CaCl2 on a sheet of paper.
6. Quickly but carefully open the lid of the calorimeter and add the calcium
chloride all at once. Close the lid and use the stirring rod to stir the solution.
7. Observe and record temperature readings every 30 seconds for several
minutes.
8. Use the highest temperature reading as the final temperature of the
dissolution reaction.
9. Calculate the change in enthalpy using the mass of water, specific heat of
water, and the observed change in temperature of water.
Here are some questions to discuss with your child:
Will the enthalpy change have a positive or negative sign associated with
it? How do you know?
Why is it important to keep the lid on the calorimeter as much as possible
during this experiment?
What are some errors that could affect your results? Do you think your H
value is more likely to be too low or too high? Why?