April 28

th
2011
Hesss Law Lab Report
Group: David White, Chuqiao Huang, Olivia Mackenzie and Carleigh Wall.
Objective: Find the Molar Enthalpy of various Magnesium compounds (Mg and MgO) using closed
system experiments and Hesss law.
Question: What is the Molar Enthalpy of combusting Magnesium?
Experimental Design: Specific masses of Magnesium and Magnesium Oxide will be added to a set
amount of Hydrochloric Acid solution of a known concentration. The change in temperature will be
recorded. Then calculated enthalpies will be combined using Hesss law to determine the Molar
Enthalpy of combusting Magnesium.
Materials: Steel Wool, Milligram Balance, Thermometer, Polystyrene Calorimeter, 100mL Graduated
Cylinder, Scoopula, Magnesium ribbon, Magnesium Oxide powder, 1.00 mol/L Hydrochloric Acid.
Observations:
Mg + 2HCl H
2
+ MgCl
2
(1) MgO + 2HCl H
2
O + MgCl (2)
Mass of Hydrochloric Acid 100.000g 100.080g
Mass of Magnesium Compounds
(1 Mg) (2 MgO)
.5000g 1.000g
Change in Temperature +19.8
o
C +6.43
o
C

Analysis: (a) Molar Enthalpy
M (Mg) 24.3050
M (MgO) 40.3044
Calculate the number of Moles of Mg and MgO in each equation by the formula n=m/M.
n (Mg) = .5000g / 24.3050 = 2.057x10
-2
mol
n (MgO) = 1.000g / 40.3044 = 2.481x10
-2
mol
Using these moles we can now find H per mole.
H is equal to q; which is in turn = mcT. Thus:
q(HCl [1]) = (100.000 g)(4.18 J/g
o
C)(19.8
o
C) = -8.28x10
3
J
q(HCl [2]) = (100.080 g)(4.18 J/g
o
C)(6.43
o
C) = -2.69x10
3
J
These are both exothermic reactions so thus we can conclude that they are negative.
To calculate H per mole use the formula H
m
= H / n:
Therefore for the reaction Mg + 2HCl H
2
+ MgCl
2
| H
m
= -8.28x10
3
J / 2.057x10
-2
J mol has a molar
enthalpy which is equal to: -4.03x10
5
J/mol.
And thus we can conclude through the same process that for the reaction for MgO + 2HCl H
2
O + MgCl
| H
m
= -2.69x10
3
J / 2.481x10
-2
mol has a molar enthalpy of; -1.08x10
5
J/mol
(b) Thermochemical equations of the two reactions:
Mg + 2HCl H
2
+ MgCl
2
H = -4.03x10
2
KJ/mol
MgO + 2HCl H
2
O + MgCl H = -1.08x10
2
KJ/mol
Also H
2
+ O
2
H
2
O
2
H = -2.858x10
2
KJ
(c) Hesss Law Equations:
Mg + 2HCl H
2
+ MgCl
2
H = -4.03x10
2
KJ/mol
MgO + 2HCl H
2
O + MgCl H = -1.08x10
2
KJ/mol
H
2
+ O
2
H
2
O
2
H = -2.858x10
2
KJ

Target: Mg + O
2
= MgO
Therefore; Mg from (1) is correct, MgO from (2) needs to be in the products and so multiply by -1, and
finally O
2
from (3) is also in the correct position therefore does not need to change.
Mg H = -4.03x10
2
KJ/mol
MgO H = - 1.08x10
2
KJ/mol
O
2
H = -2.858x10
2
KJ
Mg + O
2
= MgO H = -4.03x10
2
+ 1.08x10
2
- 2.86x10
2
Therefore; Molar Enthalpy of Magnesium in combustion is;
Mg + O
2
= MgO H = 5.86x10
2
KJ/mol

Evaluation:
(a) Percentage Difference: [(5.86x10
2
KJ/mol 6.016x10
2
KJ/mol) / (6.016x10
2
KJ/mol)] * 100
= 2.59% difference.
(b) There are many possible reasons why our value did not match up to the exact; the first being we
may have measured incorrect amounts. Another would be that we did not get accurate enough
measurements. It could also be that the hole in which the thermometer was inserted was to
large and energy could escape through it. Finally we may have left the calorimeter open to long
and so energy was lost as the experiment was sealed.