Determining an enthalpy change of reaction

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Experiment 6

Title : Determining an enthalpy change of reaction

Objective : The purpose of this experiment is to determine the enthalpy change for the displacement reaction between zinc and copper(II) sulphate.

Theory : By adding an excess of zinc powder to a measured amount of aqueous copper(II) sulphate, and measuring the temperature change over a period of time, you can then calculate. The enthalpy change for the reaction.

        Reaction involved :

Zu(s) + Cu2+(aq) → Zn2+(aq) + Cu(s)

        The enthalpy change (H , kJmol-1) accompanying a process is the heat released or absorbed under constant pressure. The enthalpy change of an endothermic reaction must be larger than zero. The enthalpy change of an exothermic reaction must be smaller than zero.

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Procedure :

Apparatus needed : safety spectacles, a pipette with 25 cm3, a pipette filler, a polystyrene cup with lid, a weighing bottle, a spatula, a thermometer which is started form 0 oC to 100 oC with 0.1 oC graduations, a watch, a balance, a beaker

  1. The pipette was washed with pipe water, and then distilled water was used to clean the pipette. Finally, it was cleaned with the solution which would be used later.
  2. 25.0 cm3 of the copper(II) sulphate solution was pipetted into a polystyrene cup.
  3. About 6 g of zinc powder was weighed ...

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