Enthalpy of Reactions

PRE-LAB QUESTIONS
1. If a reaction in an isolated system is endothermic, how will the temperature change as
the reaction proceeds? Use complete sentences and explain your reasoning.

1.

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 Enthalpy of Reactions

EXPERIMENT: ENTHALPY OF REACTIONS

Experiment Inventory
Materials Labware
1/4 Contents of a Cold Pack (ammonium nitrate, 2 Styrofoam™ Cups

(NH4NO3) 10 mL Graduated Cylinder

Entire Contents of a Hand Warmer Scale

*Graphing Software Stir Rod

*Computer / Internet Access Spatula

*Paper Towels Thermometer

*Distilled Water (or tap water – must be at room Weigh Boat

temperature)
*Scissors

*Stopwatch / Clock

Note: You must provide the materials listed in *red.

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 In this experiment, you will observe the temperature changes associated with endothermic
and exothermic reactions. Further, you will calculate the enthalpy change associated with
one of the reactions and compare this to its theoretical value.

PROCEDURE

Part 1: Cold Pack

NH4NO3(s)  NH4+(aq) + NO3-(aq)

For this experiment, you will want your water and the contents of the cold pack to initially be at
the same temperature (room temperature). If you choose to use tap water instead of distilled
water, ensure that you allow it to equilibrate with the room for an hour before you begin the
experiment.

1. Put on your safety glasses and gloves (provided in your safety box).
2. Measure 10 mL of distilled water into a 10 mL graduated cylinder and record your volume
measurement.

3. Using your thermometer, record the temperature of the water. The water should be at
room temperature.

4. Turn on the scale, place the weigh boat on the scale and press the 0/T button to zero the
scale. Make sure that the units are in grams (g). If not, press the M button until the units
displayed are in grams.

5. Using your scissors, cut off the top of your cold pack and weigh out approximately 10 g of
the solid ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) crystals found in the pack. Record the mass in your
data section.

6. Place the ammonium nitrate into a Styrofoam® cup. The Styrofoam® cup will be used as
a calorimeter.

7. Place a thermometer and a stir rod into the Styrofoam® cup.

8. Pour the 10 mL of distilled water into the calorimeter containing the ammonium nitrate
(NH4NO3).

9. Quickly begin stirring the contents in the calorimeter.

10. Use your stopwatch or timer to record the temperature at 30 second intervals. You will
need to stir the reaction the entire time you are recording data.

11. Collect data for at least five minutes, or until the temperature reaches its minimum and
begins to rise. This should take approximately five to seven minutes.

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Part 2: Hand Warmer

4 Fe(s) + 3 O2(g)  2 Fe2O3(s)

1. Wash the thermometer and dry it with paper towels. Carefully place the thermometer in
the other Styrofoam® cup.

2. Cut open the inner package of the hand warmer and quickly transfer all of its contents into
the calorimeter.

3. Immediately record the initial temperature of the contents and begin timing the reaction.

Hint: Data collection should start quickly after the package is opened,
because the reaction will be activated as soon as it is exposed to air.

4. Begin stirring the contents in the calorimeter with your thermometer.

5. Continue stirring, recording the temperature at thirty second intervals. You will need to
stir the reaction at a consistent rate the entire time you are recording data.

6. Set a stopwatch or timer for five minutes. Let the reaction continue for at least five
minutes, or until the temperature has reached its maximum and then fallen a few degrees.
This should take approximately 5 to 7 minutes.

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Data Sheet

Data for Cold Pack Reaction

Volume of water

Initial Temperature of Water

Mass of NH4NO3

Temperature Data for Cold Time Temperature

Pack Reaction
0s
Time Temperature
0 s (Initial
Temperature
of water from
table above)

Temperature Data for Hot Pack

Reaction

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Post-Lab Analysis and Questions

The following questions are associated with the dissolving of the ammonium nitrate in water:
NH4NO3(s)  NH4+(aq) + NO3-(aq)

1. Based on your observations was this reaction endothermic or exothermic? Explain your
reasoning in complete sentences.

2. Calculate qcontents – the heat associated with the temperature change of the contents in
the calorimeter. For the final temperature, use the lowest temperature that you obtained.
(Hint: Use the heat capacity of water for the contents, 4.18 J/goC. Use the total mass of
the mixture since the whole mixture changed temperature.)

1. What is the value of qrxn for the dissolving of ammonium nitrate in water?

3. Calculate the number of moles of ammonium nitrate used in the reaction.

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4. Using your results from the previous two questions, calculate the enthalpy change DHrxn
in kJ/mol for the reaction.

5. Determine the theoretical enthalpy change for the reaction using standard enthalpies of
formation. (https://openstax.org/books/chemistry-2e/pages/g-standard-thermodynamic-
properties-for-selected-substances)

2. Calculate the % error in your value of DHrxn.

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The following questions are associated with the Hot-Pack reaction:
4 Fe(s) + 3 O2(g)  2 Fe2O3(s)

3. Based on your observations, is this reaction endothermic or exothermic? Explain your

reasoning in complete sentences.

4. Determine the theoretical enthalpy change for the reaction using standard enthalpies of
formation. (https://openstax.org/books/chemistry-2e/pages/g-standard-thermodynamic-
properties-for-selected-substances)

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