Experiment No.

3: Calorimetry
Introduction
Calorimetry is the term used to describe the measurement of heat flow [1]. The word
calorimetry is derived from the Latin calor meaning heat, and the Greek metry meaning to measure
[2]
. With this technique, we can measure the amount of heat transferred to (endothermic) or from a
substance (exothermic) using a calorimeter. A calorimeter can be as simple as two Styrofoam cups
nestled at each other sealed with a cover with two holes for thermometer and a stirrer to fit in.
Computing is not as simple in comparison. To have a precise calculation, heat capacity of the
surroundings, careful measurements of the masses of the system and surroundings and their
temperatures before and after the process must be considered.
As something that deals with heat, it is obvious that calorimetry is used in a lot of fields.
Some of them are environmental science, food science, agricultural science, and microbiology.
Calorimetry is also typically used to formulate admixtures, evaluate new materials, compare mixes
using different sources of cement, infer compressive strength, calculate the activation energy,
predict thermal cracking and etc [3].
The objective of the experiment is to know how to determine the calorimeter constant, the
enthalpy of dissolution of salt and to calculate the specific heat of various metals. This is done to
deepen the understanding of calorimetry, heat and energy through a practical application.

Methodology
a. Reagents
The reagents used in the experiment were table salt, Absolute distilled drinking water,
Copper, Iron, Aluminum, Zinc and Tin. All metals were provided by Polytechnic
University of the Philippines and the rest were provided by the members themselves.
b. Equipment and Apparatus
The apparatus used were thermometer, stirring rod, 400mL and 250mL beaker, hot
plate, balance, test tube, test tube holder, Styrofoam cups and scissors. All apparatus
were provided by Polytechnic University of the Philippines except for the last two
which were provided by the group members.
c. Personal Protective Equipment
To observe safety, laboratory coat, gloves, protective glasses and closed shoes were
used by the members.
d. Experimental Procedure
Calorimeter Constant
For this setup, two Styrofoam cups were nestled at each other. It was sealed with a
cover with two holes for the thermometer and stirrer to fit in. The cups were placed in
a 400mL beaker so it doesn’t touch the surface. 50mL water is poured on both the
calorimeter and 250mL beaker. The water on the calorimeter is stirred for about five
minutes and its temperature is recorded as TC. Meanwhile, the water on the 250mL
 beaker is heated until it reaches a temperature of 70° - 80°C. It was removed on the
heater and its temperature is recorded as TH. The hot water is poured on the calorimeter
as quickly as possible. The contents of the calorimeter is stirred and its temperature is
measured in 15 seconds interval for five minutes. The highest temperature obtained is
TF. After getting all the needed values, the calorimeter constant C, is computed with
the following formula:
(50.0𝑔)(𝑇𝐻 − 𝑇𝐹 ) − (50.0𝑔)(𝑇𝑓 − 𝑇𝐶 ) 𝐽
𝐶 =[ ] (4.184 )
(𝑇𝐹 − 𝑇𝐶 ) 𝑔 ∙ °𝐶

Enthalpy of Dissolution
2 grams of table salt is weighed out and prepared. 50mL of water is poured and stirred
on the calorimeter and its temperature is recorded as TI. The salt prepared beforehand
is added and the temperature is recorded in 15 seconds interval. The highest
temperature is recorded as TF. With the use of constant C taken from previous setup,
the enthalpy of dissolution is then computed using the following formula:
𝐽
𝑞 = [(52.0𝑔) (4.184 ) + 𝐶] (𝑇𝐹 − 𝑇𝐼 )
𝑔 ∙ °𝐶

𝑞 1 𝑘𝐽
∆𝑑𝑖𝑠 𝐻 = ( )( )
0.100 𝑚𝑜𝑙 1000 𝐽

Specific Heat
For this setup, a 400mL beaker with water was placed on a hot plate and was brought
to a boil. Meanwhile, 20g of metals such as Copper, Iron, Aluminum, Zinc and Tin
were put inside a test tube. Using a test tube holder, the test tubes were placed inside
the hot water bath and let it sit for about 15 minutes until the temperature of the metals
raised to about the temperature of the bath. The temperature is recorded until the
reading has less than 1°C change in temperature for about two minutes. It was recorded
as TM. 50mL of water was poured and stirred on the calorimeter. Its temperature was
recorded as TW. Each test tube was removed and the metal is transferred on the
calorimeter. The solution is stirred and the temperature is recorded every 15 seconds.
The highest temperature is the TF. With the use of constant C taken from previous setup,
the specific heat of each metal is then computed using the following formula:
𝐽
(50.0𝑔) (4.184
𝑔 ∙ °𝐶 ) + 𝐶
𝐶𝑃, 𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑙 = [ ] (𝑇𝐹 − 𝑇𝑊 )
(20.0𝑔)(𝑇𝑀 − 𝑇𝐹 )

Results and Discussions

Calorimeter Constant
Table I: Calorimeter Constant
 First Trial Second Trial
TC 30 °C 30 °C
TH 75 °C 80 °C
TF 56 °C 58 °C
𝐽 𝐽
C -56.32 ⁄°C -44.83 ⁄°C

As shown in the table above, the resulting calorimeter constant in both trials is negative. The heat
capacity (C) of a substance is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of a given
quantity of the substance by one degree Celsius [4]. In this case, the calorimeter constant is the heat
capacity of a particular object (or set of objects) rather than that of a material [5]. A negative
calorimeter constant means instead of applying heat to raise the temperature of the object, we are
releasing heat. By convention, the calorimeter constant should be a positive value.
Enthalpy of Dissolution
Table II: Enthalpy of Dissolution
TI 31 °C
TF 30 °C
q -167 J
𝑘𝐽
∆dis H -1.67 𝑚𝑜𝑙

Due to lack of salt reagents, only table salt (NaCl) was used. Dissolving of a salt is exothermic or
endothermic depends on which is greater, the Lattice Energy, or the Hydration Energy. Lattice
energy is the energy needed to pull the ions apart and Hydration energy is the energy released as
water molecules surround the ions. The Lattice energy and Hydration energy of table salt (NaCl)
𝑘𝐽
is 779 and 774 measured in 𝑚𝑜𝑙 respectively. If we subtract the Hydration Energy from the Lattice
𝑘𝐽
Energy, we get a change of +5 𝑚𝑜𝑙 therefore dissolving salt is an endothermic process [6]. Solving
the recorded values and using the average of the calorimeter constant recorded, (TF – TI) will result
in a negative value and multiplying positive by a negative is negative therefore q is negative. A
negative q implies that heat is released which in convention, an exothermic process. This
contradicts what is said earlier that dissolving of salt is an endothermic process.
Specific Heat
Table III: Specific Heat
Cu Fe Al Zn Sn
𝑇𝑀 92℃ 92℃ 92℃ 92℃ 95℃
𝑇𝑊 30℃ 30℃ 30℃ 30℃ 30℃
𝑇𝐹 31℃ 33℃ 32.5℃ 31℃ 31.5℃
𝐽 𝐽 𝐽 𝐽 𝐽
𝐶𝑃 , 𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑙 0.2327 𝑔∙°𝐶 0.7218 𝑔∙°𝐶 0.5964 𝑔∙°𝐶 0.2327 𝑔∙°𝐶 0.3353 𝑔∙°𝐶
 𝐽 𝐽 𝐽
The computed specific heat based on values recorded are 0.2327𝑔∙°𝐶, 0.7218𝑔∙°𝐶, 0.5964𝑔∙°𝐶,
𝐽 𝐽
0.2327𝑔∙°𝐶, 0.3353𝑔∙°𝐶, for Copper, Iron, Aluminum, Zinc and Tin respectively. These values are
far from the known specific heat of the said metals which are given by the table below.

Table IV: Known Values vs Obtained Values

Constants Known Values Obtained Values Difference
𝐽 𝐽
𝐶𝑃 , Cu 0.3768 𝑔∙°𝐶 0.2327 𝑔∙°𝐶 ~ -38%
𝐽 𝐽
𝐶𝑃 , Fe 0.4605 𝑔∙°𝐶 0.7218 𝑔∙°𝐶 ~ +57%
𝐽 𝐽
𝐶𝑃 , Al 0.9211 𝑔∙°𝐶 0.5964 𝑔∙°𝐶 ~ -36%
𝐽 𝐽
𝐶𝑃 , Zn 0.3768 𝑔∙°𝐶 0.2327 𝑔∙°𝐶 ~ -38%
𝐽 𝐽
𝐶𝑃 , Sn 0.2177 𝑔∙°𝐶 0.3353 𝑔∙°𝐶 ~ +54%

Conclusions
Based on the results, it is apparent that the experiment didn’t go the way it should have
gone. Even with a bit of manipulation in the researchers’ part, in the first part, the constant still
resulted in a negative value. For it to be a positive value, (TH – TF) must be greater than (TF – TC)
where TH > TF > TC. In our case, (TH – TF) < (TF – TC), where (TH – TF) = 19 and (TF – TC) = 26.
This is one of the reason why we got a negative value. For the second part, what is known about
the dissolving of salt contradicts what is recorded and observed. It is said that dissolution of salt is
endothermic but based on the results, it is exothermic. In the third part, the specific heat computed
is nowhere near the known specific heat for the metals used. It is either too high by approximately
54% - 57% or too low by approximately 36% - 38%. In science experiments, the margin of error
should only be around ±10%. There are a few possible reasons for this. First, the calorimeter may
be faulty which means it lets out some heat. This results in inaccurate measurement of temperature.
Second is the lack of stirring and measurement of the temperature from time to time. The
researchers’ didn’t follow the proper procedure in some parts. Third, the thermometer may be
defective. As was observed in the course of the experiment, the thermometer only measures a
maximum of 95℃ even when the water is already past its boiling point (100℃). In conclusion, all
said reasons may have contributed as to why the result of the experiment isn’t satisfying.

Recommendations
To get better results, we recommend to improve on the faults already said. Use a proper
calorimeter that is tightly sealed to prevent some heat loss. Also, check if the apparatus are
functioning properly especially the thermometer. Try to follow the procedure down to the dot and
don’t stop trying until you get a satisfying result.
Acknowledgements
I’d like to extend my gratitude to the people who made the experiment and this paper a
success. I’d like to acknowledge Engr. Zenaida Agcaoili, MA for allowing the researchers to
borrow laboratory equipment and apparatus. Also, to Engr. Florence Joie F. Lacsa, LPT, MS for
the guidance and to my group who gave me their support and is always there to answer my
questions. Lastly, I give thanks to my parents for the moral and financial support.

References
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22, 2018 from https://www.calmetrix.com/calorimetry-for-cement-and-concrete
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