Experiment #13. Enthalpy of Hydration of Sodium Acetate.

Goal
To determine the enthalpy (ΔH) for the following process:

NaC2H3O2(s) + 3 H2O(l)  NaC2H3O2 . 3H2O(s)

Introduction
Most chemical reactions are accompanied by a change in energy (heat). The reactions will either give off heat or
absorb heat. Thermochemistry is the study of heat exchanged during reactions. In thermochemistry, the atoms and
molecules doing the reacting are referred to as the system and everything else in the universe is referred to as the
surroundings. Reactions that release heat to the surroundings are exothermic reactions – these reactions cause the
surroundings to increase in temperature. A reaction that absorbs heat is an endothermic reaction and it causes the
surroundings to decrease in temperature. The sign for the change in enthalpy of a reaction (ΔH) is negative for
exothermic reactions and positive for endothermic reactions. Consider the following exothermic reaction:

(1) NaOH(s)  Na+(aq) + OH-(aq) ΔH = -44.4 kJ/mol

When one mole of sodium hydroxide is dissolved in water, the reaction (the system) releases 44.4 kJ of energy.
This energy is transferred to the surroundings and the temperature of the surroundings will increase. ΔH experiments
are often done in aqueous solution in insulated coffee cups. The coffee cup ensures that virtually all of energy in the
system is transferred to the solution, not to the lab bench or the air.

Calculating qreaction
The first law of thermodynamics states that the net change in energy in the universe is equal to zero:

(2) ΔEuniverse = qsystem + qsurroundings = 0

Rearranging equation (2) and noting that in this case q system is equivalent to qreaction, and qsurroundings is equivalent to qsolution,
we get:

(3) qsystem = - qsurroundings or qreaction = - qsolution

Heat for the system and surroundings have the same magnitude, but opposite sign. Just like H, when heat is lost, q is
negative, when heat is gained, q is positive.

qreaction cannot be determined directly. However, q solution can be determined using the specific heat equation (4).
m is the total mass of the solution, C s is the specific heat of the solution (usually similar to the specific heat of water for
dilute solutions) and Tf and Ti are the final and inital temperatures of the solution.

(4) qsolution = m Cs (Tfinal – Tinitial)

Note that according to equation (4), when the temperature of the solution increases, the sign of q solution will be positive,
when the temperature of the solution decreases, the sign of q solution will be negative.

Calculating H
H is the heat released when the amounts written in the balanced equation are reacted. For equation (1), that
would be 1 mole of NaOH (s) reacting. However, reacting an entire mole is wasteful and unnecessary. To find H, we
react a much smaller amount, find the heat released or absorbed (q reaction), then extrapolate how much heat would have
been released if we reacted one mole. H is calculated as follows:

(5) H = qreaction/mol
For an example of how the H in equation (1) might have been determined, if 0.013 moles of NaOH are dissolved, -572 J
of heat will be released. Plugging into equation (5) H = -572 J/0.013mol = -44,000 J = 44 kJ. In this way we are able to
find H using much smaller quantities of reagents.

In this experiment you will be calculating the H for dissolving anhydrous sodium acetate, NaC2H3O2 (s)
(equation 6) and H for dissolving sodium acetate trihydrate, NaC2H3O2 . 3H2O(s) (equation 7).

(6) NaC2H3O2 (s)  Na+(aq) + C2H3O2-(aq) ΔHreaction = ? (for the anhydrous)

(7) NaC2H3O2 . 3H2O (s)  Na+(aq) + C2H3O2-(aq) + 3 H2O(l) ΔHreaction = ? (for the hydrate)

H relationships and Hess’ Law

Ultimately in this lab, we want to calculate the H for anhydrous sodium acetate converting to sodium acetate
trihydrate (equation 8). However, measuring this directly in the lab is not feasible – the process cannot be done in
solution, it will occur slowly over several days if anhydrous sodium acetate is exposed to atmospheric moisture (left in an
open container.

(8) NaC2H3O2(s) + 3 H2O(l)  NaC2H3O2 . 3H2O (s) ΔHreaction = ?

anhydrous hydrate

Since we cannot figure out ΔH for equation (8) directly, we will use Hess’s Law to determine it indirectly. Hess’ Law
works because enthalpy is a state function – it is independent of how the system is prepared or the path of the reaction.
Hess’ Law states that the change in enthalpy of a stepwise reaction is equal to the sum of the changes in enthalpy for
the individual steps. We may not be able to measure the enthalpy for A + B  D or equation (8) but we can calculate it
if we know the enthalpies of the other steps.

A+BC ΔH = -100 kJ
CD ΔH = + 25 kJ
A+BD ΔH = -75 kJ

Note that equations (6) and (7) do not add to equation (8) as written. You will need to manipulate the reactions
so that they add to the reaction of interest. Other ΔH relationships are that reversing a reaction reverses the sign of ΔH,
and when multiplying reaction coefficients by a factor, ΔH is multiplied by the same factor.

If A+BC ΔH = -100 kJ, then C  A+B ΔH = +100 kJ

If CD ΔH = +25 kJ, then 2C  2D ΔH = +50 kJ

You will use these principles to make equations (6) and (7) add to the overall equation (8) . The sum of the transformed
ΔH’s will then equal the ΔH of the overall reaction (8).
Laboratory Activity

Equipment 1 Large test tube Thermometer

Chemicals Anhydrous sodium acetate Sodium acetate trihydrate

A. Dissolution of Anhydrous Sodium Acetate

1. Obtain a large dry test tube and a thermometer.

2. Measure 10.0 mL of deionized water in a graduated cylinder. Record the temperature of the deionized water.

3. Weigh between 1.20 to 1.25 grams of anhydrous sodium acetate (NaC 2H3O2 (s)). Record the exact mass. Close the lid
of the jar immediately after weighing – anhydrous sodium acetate will absorb atmospheric moisture and convent to
the hydrate if it is exposed to air – we want to keep it anhydrous!

4. Working quickly, place the solid into the test tube. Hold the test tube at the top or in a rack to avoid transferring
heat from your hands.Add the 10.0 mL of water to the test tube. Be sure that there are no solids sticking to the
sides. Stir gently with your thermometer. Measure the solution’s temperature as you stir, and record the highest
temperature that the solution reaches.

5. Pour the solution down the sink and wash dry the test tube.

B. Dissolution of Sodium Acetate Trihydrate

6. Measure another 10.0 mL of water. Record the temperature of the deionized water.

7. Weigh out between 1.96 to 2.04 grams of sodium acetate trihydrate (NaC 2H3O2 . 3H2O (s)) . Record the exact mass.

8. Place the solid in the washed test tube and dried test tube. Add the 10.0 mL of water, and begin to stir gently.
Again, be sure that no solid is stuck to the sides of the test tube. Measure the solution’s temperature as you stir, and
record the lowest temperature that the solution gets to.

9. Pour the solution down the sink and wash the test tube.

C. Calculations

10. For both Part I and Part II, calculate the heat gained or lost by the solution using equation (3). Assume the specific
heat of the solution is the same as pure water (4.18 J/g oC) and that the solution has the same density as pure water
(1.00 g/mL).
The heat gained or lost by the reaction should be of the same magnitude as heat gained or lost by the reaction, but
have the opposite sign. Use equation (2) to find q reaction.
Find ΔH for equations (5) and (6) by dividing q reaction by moles of reactant (equation 4)
Finally, manipulate equations (5) and (6) so that they add to equation (7) and apply Hess’s Law to determine its ΔH.
 Name_________________________

Team Name ______________________

CHM111 Lab – Enthalpy of Hydration of Sodium Acetate – Grading Rubric

Criteria Points possible Points earned

Lab Performance

Printed lab handout and rubric was brought to lab 3

Safety and proper waste disposal procedures observed 2

Followed procedure correctly without depending too much 3

on instructor or lab partner

Work space and glassware was cleaned up 1

Lab Report

Data recorded clearly with proper units 1

Calculations for q shown clearly with correct signs 2

Question 1 1

Question 2 1

Question 3 – Hess’s Law calculation shown and explained 2

clearly

Question 4 2

Question 5 2

Total 20

Subject to additional penalties as per the instructor

Enthalpy of Hydration: Data Sheet Name ________________________

Show all your work clearly and include appropriate units.

A: Dissolution of Anhydrous Sodium Acetate

Mass of water
Mass of NaC2H3O2
Mass of solution
Room Temperature
Final Temperature
ΔT
Specific heat capacity of the solution 4.18 J/goC

Calculations for q solution:

q solution = ________________ q reaction = ________________

B. Dissolution of Sodium Acetate Trihydrate

Mass of water
Mass of NaC2H3O2 . 3H2O
Mass of solution
Room Temperature
Final Temperature
ΔT
Specific heat capacity of the solution 4.18 J/goC

Calculations for q solution:

q solution = ________________ q reaction = _______________

Report Page 1 of 3
Enthalpy of Hydration: Post Lab Questions Name ________________________

Show all your work and include appropriate units.

Q1. Calculate moles of NaC2H3O2 (s), then use qreaction to calculate ΔHreaction for anhydrous sodium acetate in kilojoules.

NaC2H3O2 (s)  Na+(aq) + C2H3O2-(aq)

Q2. Calculate moles of NaC2H3O2 . 3H2O (s), then use qreaction to calculate ΔHreaction for sodium acetate trihydrate in kJ.

NaC2H3O2 . 3H2O (s)  Na+(aq) + C2H3O2-(aq) + 3 H2O(l)

Q3. Use Hess’ Law and the results from questions 1 and 2 to find the enthalpy of hydration (ΔH reaction) for anhydrous
sodium acetate in kJ. Show your work clearly – rewrite transformed reaction steps from questions 1 and 2 above.

NaC2H3O2(s) + 3 H2O(l)  NaC2H3O2 . 3H2O(s)

Report Page 2 of 3
Enthalpy of Hydration: Post Lab Questions Name ________________________

Q4. Another way to calculate ΔH values that cannot be measured experimentally is with standard heats of formation.
a) Using the ΔHfo values provided, calculate ΔHrxn for NaC2H3O2(s) + 3 H2O(l)  NaC2H3O2 . 3H2O(s) with the equation:

ΔHrxno =  np ΔHfo(products) –  nr ΔHfo(reactants)

ΔHfo (kJ/mol)
NaC2H3O2(s) – 708.8
NaC2H3O2 . 3H2O(s) – 1604
H2O(l) – 285.8

b) Compare your value from 4a) to your experimentally determined value in Q3. Determine the percent error.

Q5. Use the standard reaction enthalpies given below to determine ΔH° rxn for the following reaction. Show your work in
detail.

Find: 2 CH4 + 2 O2  CH2CO + 3 H2O ΔH°rxn = ?

Given:
CH2CO + 2 O2  2 CO2 + H2O ΔH°rxn = -981.1 kJ
CH4 + 2 O2  CO2 + 2 H2O ΔH°rxn = -802.3 kJ

Report Page 3 of 3