Laboratory Report
Name: Riccian Faith Bernardo Subject: Chemistry for Engineers (Laboratory)
Group A Course code/section: CET 0112.1 - 8
Group Members: Date Submitted: September 27, 2021
1. Riccian Faith Bernardo- Introduction
2. Jenuelle Lui Caballero - Objectives and Reagents
3. Sheila Mae Bantillo - Apparatus
4. Nhilsan De Mesa - Procedures
5. Mae Czarella Caballas - Procedures
6.Jhazzper Gregory Carungay - Results and Observation
7. Samantha Mariya Camacho - Results and Observation
8. Gen Aaron Callejo - Answer to Question
9. Dyron Roman Chavez - Summary & Conclusion
10. Alvin Joseph Cayube – Summary & Conclusion
Coffee Cup Calorimetry
Experiment no. 2
I. Introduction:
Thermodynamics is the scientific study of the interconnection of heat, energy, work, and
temperature that premises Calorimetry; the process of measuring the amount of heat absorbed
or released during a chemical reaction. The first law of thermodynamics stated that energy cannot
be created nor destroyed therefore, as a result, the net energy change in the universe for any
process a reaction has to be zero. Therefore, calorimetry helps to figure out how much energy
must have been lost or gained in a chemical reaction. Calorimetry also plays a large part in
everyday life, it is used to control metabolic rates in humans and as a result, it helps in maintaining
bodily functions like body temperature.
Coffee cups are the medium used to determine the energy lost or gained by the aqueous
environment as a result of chemical or physical change. Coffee cups are the simplest piece of
equipment that allows us to figure out what was the overall enthalpy change for a reaction in an
aqueous solution; It is very efficient because coffee cups are good insulators. As a result, it would
help with the analysis of energy change within it and it doesn’t have too much energy lost to the
coffee cup itself. Specific heat capacity is the physical property of matter that established the
amount of heat that is required to increase the temperature of a substance in 1°C. Hence, It is
important for it will give an indication of how much energy will be required to heat or cool an object
of a given mass by a given amount.
The coffee cup calorimeter experiment discusses the use of calorimetry in chemistry, the steps
on the calorimetry calculations, the conditions that must be satisfied when performing the coffee
cup calorimetry, the execution of calorimetry using different metals are used to derive the heat
changes associated with state transitions caused by chemical reactions, physical changes, or
phase transitions under specified constraints and the proper procedure on how to properly
perform this experiment.
II. Objectives:
At the end of this experiment, the students must be able to:
• Perform simple calorimetry experiments.
• Use calorimetry results to calculate the specific heat of different substances.
• Determine heat of reaction (ΔH) from calorimetry measurements.
• Understand concepts of system and surroundings.
• Learn the limits and conditions of coffee cup calorimetry.
III. Apparatus:
Figure 2a. Coffee cup calorimetry using washer.
Figure 2b. Coffee cup calorimetry using copper, zinc, and tin.
IV. Reagents:
Table 2a. Reagents used
Name Formula Molecular Boiling Point Melting Point Solubility
Weight
Water H2O 18.015 g·mol 100 °C 0 °C Completely
Miscible
Copper Cu 63.546 g·mol 2,562 °C 1,085 °C Insoluble
Zinc Zn 65.38 g·mol 907 °C 419.5 °C Insoluble
Tin Sn 118.71 g·mol 2,602 °C 231.9 °C Insoluble
V. Procedure:
Coffee Cup Calorimetry
Video 1: Solving Enthalpy Change
Determine the mass Identify the heat loss
of the reaction or gain by the Change the heat of
mixture. surrounding. the surrounding to the
heat of the system.
Warning: Use the Warning: Be careful
appropriate unit of with the sign since it
measurement. might cause errors.
Identify the enthalpy
change and
incorporate it into the
Determine the limiting
thermochemical
reagent.
equation.
Warning: Apply only if
Warning: Check the
there is any.
sign and unit of the
answer.
Figure 2c. Calculating change in enthalpy
Video 2: Calorimetry Experiment
A. Preparation of Set-up
Prepare the following
materials:
- Electronic weighing Place 2 layers of coffee
scale - thermometer Fill the beaker with 100
cups at the electronic
- Beaker -alcohol lamp mL of water.
weighing scale and
- stand reset it to zero.
- 2 coffee cups Warning: Read the
- carton - washer volume at an eye level.
- clamp - matchsticks
- scissors - goggles
Light the alcohol lamp Transfer the 100 mL
using a match stick. Fill the beaker again of water to the coffee
Place it under the wire with 100 mL of water. cup. Record the
gauze set-up. weight of water.
Warning: Read the
Warning: Strike the volume at an eye Warning: Pour slowly
match away from you. level. to avoid spilling.
Place the beaker with
100 mL of water on
Transfer the washer
the wire gauze. Measure the washer
inside the beaker, and
using the electronic
wait until it boils.
Warning: Place it weighing scale.
carefully since it is Record its mass.
fragile, and also, to
avoid spilling
Figure 2d. Set-up preparation
B. Preparation of the Calorimeter
Cut a piece of cardboard Punch a hole at the center
into a circular form that fits of the circular cardboard.
the coffee cup then put it in Put the thermometer
Record the initial
to act as a lid. inside the hole.
calorimeter temperature.
Warning: Submerge the
Warning: Be careful when
thermometer into the
using the scissors and fit it water as far as possible
tightly to avoid inaccurate without touching the
data. coffee cup.
Figure 2e. Calorimeter set-up
C. Calorimetry experiment proper
Get the washer from
the boiling water and
transfer it into the Stir the calorimeter
calorimeter. Record its until the temperature Record the maximum
temperature after. holds steady or starts temperature.
to drop.
Warning: Use an
appropriate tool on
getting the washer to
avoid the hot water.
Determine the specific
heat capacity.
Warning: Check the
sign and unit of the
answer.
Figure 2f. Calorimetry experiment
Video 3: Calorimetry Experiment with different metals
Boil 58 g samples of Put 350 mL of water
copper, zinc, and tin on three separate
at over 100 C for cups. Then put a
several minutes. thermometer in each Record the starting
cup. temperature.
Warning: Be careful
when putting the Warning: Be careful
samples for it might when putting the
cause splashing of thermometer since it is
water. fragile.
Transfer the three
Stir until the metals from the
Measure the final temperature boiling water to their
temperature. stabilizes. respective cups.
Warning: Use an
appropriate tool.
Weigh the three
metals individually.
Figure 2g. Calorimetry experiment with different metals
VI. Calculation and Interpretation:
Figure 2h: calculation of specific heat capacity
Figure 2i: calculation of specific heat capacity
The coffee cup calorimetry was performed in this experiment to determine the
specific heat capacity of an unknown metal, which is the metal washer. The formula for
𝑄
the specific heat capacity (c) is 𝐶 = 𝑚∆𝑇, derived from the formula 𝑄 = 𝑚𝑐∆𝑇 which Q
refers to its heat energy, m is the mass, and ∆𝑇 is the change in temperature. Substituting
the data obtained from the experiment to the formula, the value of m (mass) would be
7.67 g. For the change in temperature, the initial temperature (the temperature of the
metal washer after it was boiled in water), is subtracted from the final temperature (the
temperature after it was dropped in the calorimeter). The value of ∆𝑇 would be -77.7°C,
which means that there was a drop in temperature of the metal washer after submerging
it to the water inside the coffee cup calorimetry. The value of the heat energy (Q) of the
metal washer is based on the value of the heat energy of the water. The metal washer
serves as the system in this experiment, while the coffee cup with water is the
surroundings. The decrease in temperature of the metal washer indicates that there was
a loss of energy in the system. For every loss of energy in the system, there would be a
gain of energy in the surroundings which means that the energy lost (-) by the metal
washer would be gained (+) by the water. To determine the heat energy of the metal
washer, the heat energy of the water must be determined first. Using the formula 𝑄 =
𝑚𝑐∆𝑇, given the data above, the value of the heat energy of the water is 362.6 J. A
positive value indicates gained energy. As the heat energy lost by the metal washer
equates to the energy gained by the water, it was determined that the value of the heat
energy of the metal washer is -362.6 J.
VII. Results and Discussion:
Table 2b: Coffee Cup Calorimetry
Metal Washer Water
Mass 7.67 g 96.4 g
Initial Temperature in °C 100°C 21.4°C
Final Temperature in °C 22.3°C 22.3°C
Change in temperature (T) -77.7°C 0.9°C
Heat Energy (Q) -362.6 J 362.6 J
Specific Heat Capacity (C) 0.608 J/g°C 4.184 J/g°C
Substituting all the data obtained from the experiment and computation, the value
of the specific heat capacity of the metal washer is 0.608 J/g°C.
Video 3: Calorimetry Experiment with different metals
Result:
Table 2c: Calorimetry experiment with different metals
Water Copper Water Zinc (Zn) Water Tin Average
(Cu) (Sn)
Mass 50 57.99 50 57.97 grams 50 57.93
grams grams grams grams grams
Initial 22.6 °C 100 °C 22.6 °C 100 °C 22.0 100 °C
Temperature °C
in °C
Final 28.7 °C 28.7 °C 29.0 °C 29.0 °C 26.4 26.4
Temperature °C °C
in °C
Change in 6.1 °C -71.3 °C 6.4 °C -71°C 4.4°C -73.6
temperature °C
(𝜟𝑻)
Heat Energy 1274.9 -1274.9 1337.6 -1337.6 J 919 J -919 J
(Q) J J J
Specific Heat 4.18 0.308 4.18 0.325 J/g°C 4.18 0.216
Capacity (C) J/g°C J/g°C J/g°C J/g°C J/g°C
Approximated 0.385 0.388 J/g°C 0.228
J/g°C J/g°C 0.333667
Percentage 25% 19.38%5.56%
Error 0.1665
Computation:
Figure 2j: the average of the indicated values of metals
(The figure above uses excel worksheet to determine the average of the indicated values
of the metals for a more straightforward explanation)
Figure 2k: Calculation of Calorimetry using different metals
Figure 2l : Calculation of Calorimetry using different metals
Interpretation and Discussion:
The video shows 3 simultaneous instances of coffee cup calorimetry. This experiment
uses three metals: Copper, Zinc, and Tin. The goal is to determine the specific heat
𝑄
capacity of the metals. The formulas used in the computations are 𝐶 = 𝑚𝛥𝑇 for specific
heat capacity, 𝑄 = 𝑚𝑐𝛥𝑇 for heat energy, ΔT=TF-Ti for the change in temperature, and
𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑒−𝑒𝑥𝑎𝑐𝑡 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒
the %𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = 𝑥100% for the percentage error. The first step is to
𝑒𝑥𝑎𝑐𝑡 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒
attain the change of temperature of all the sets of water and metals. The change of
temperature is equal to the final temperature subtracted by the initial temperature. The
temperature changes for the Copper set are 6.1°C and-71.3°C, 6.4°C and-71°C for the
Zinc set, and 4.4°C and-73.6°C for the Tin set. The values indicated in the table provide
proof that the water had a slight increase in temperature while the metals had a drastic
decrease. It also means that the metals as a whole lose heat energy, whereas the water
in the coffee cup gains heat energy from its surroundings. Using the formula, the values
for heat energy of the metals are as follows: -1274.9 Joules for Copper, -1337.6 Joules
for Zinc and -919.6 Joules for Tin. Consequently, the water gained its respective heat
energy from the metals. Since the value of the heat energy is acquired, the specific heat
capacity of the metals may now be solved. Copper has a specific heat capacity of 0.308
J/g°C, whereas zinc and tin have specific heat capacities of 0.325 J/g°C and 0.216 J/g°C,
respectively. For the percentage error for the specific heat capacity of the metals, it was
to determine how accurate the values were from the approximated and computed.
Applying the formula for the percentage error, the values indicated that it was equal to or
less than 25% and had an average of 16.65%. It means that the specific heat capacity of
the computed metals is close to the values provided in Engineers Edge at 25°C.
VIII. Answer to Question:
1. In thermodynamics, define (a) the system and (b) the surroundings.
a. The system is a particular object in our universe that we want to
investigate or study.
b. The surroundings are things beyond the system.
2. What is a Coffee cup calorimeter?
- A Coffee cup calorimeter is a constant pressure calorimeter that is used in
measuring the overall enthalpy changes for a reaction (Physical and Chemical
change) in an aqueous solution. It has a simple apparatus consisting of coffee
cups, thermometer, water, and a reactant placed inside a cup.
3. What are the limitations in using a coffee cup calorimeter?
-The limitations in using a coffee cup calorimeter are, it can only be used in
an aqueous environment and it can only handle relatively low-temperature
reactions.
4. What is specific heat capacity?
- The Specific heat capacity or specific heat is the energy required to raise
the temperature of a particular 1 gram of a substance by 1 degree Celsius.
5. What is a limiting reagent?
- A Limiting Reagents determines the amount of product that is going to be
produced, at the same time, it also determines the amount of energy that will be
released or absorbed.
6. What are the assumptions in performing coffee cup calorimetry
calculations?
- In performing the coffee cup calorimetry experiment, we should have to
make assumptions which include the following:
I. The properties of a solution is assumed to be the same as the properties of water
such as density, specific heat capacity, etc.
II. Assuming that the coffee cup being used in the calorimetry is a perfect insulator
that does not gain or lose heat to or from the surroundings.
III. It should be assumed that the reaction goes to completion to see all the energy
released or the energy absorbed.
IV. Assuming that the reaction takes place under a controlled environment or
standard condition.
IX. Summary and Conclusion:
To wrap up, the basis of calorimetry is an assumption that the energy gained or
lost by the surroundings was the same as the energy lost or gained by the system. Since
the heat was not lost from the surrounding air. Also, it was determined that the reaction
mixture shared its properties with water, the reaction went to completion, and the reaction
occurred under standard conditions.
Furthermore, in the given videos, it was stated and showed that the amount of
product produced in a chemical reaction was related to the amount of reactant that was
used. Specifically, the more reactants used, the more product is produced.
As in the experiment, the objectives were attained and met by utilizing the
calorimetry results that distinguished the specific heat and determined the heat of
reaction. The three metals, tin, zinc, and copper that were used and shown in the
apparatus have a close weight. The metal and the water start at two very different
temperatures, and they end up at the same temperature as the specific heat of the water
was high level and the weights of water and metal used in this experiment were
indistinguishable. Therefore, the temperature rise of the water was much less than the
temperature fall of the metal in which the water absorbed the heat of the reaction.
To conclude, the coffee cup calorimeter was used to determine the heat exchange
of the system (substance) and surroundings (water and calorimeter). Using a closed and
insulated container such as a coffee cup, it will be easier to determine the heat
measurements. When a substance is mixed in the water, the temperature of the
substance decreases, which means that the system loses energy. While the temperature
of the water increases, it means that the environment gains energy. Always keep in mind
that whether the energy is lost or gained by the water or the environment it must also be
lost or gained by the substance or system, even in opposite signs. As the first law of
thermodynamics stated that, energy cannot be created nor destroyed.
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