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CHEM-1100: Chemistry I

Experiment #10

Hess's Law: Determination of the H formation of MgO by Solution Calorimetry

Objectives: Using this coffee-cup calorimeter and its calorimeter constant of 10 J/C, determine Hrxn values for the reactions of 2 M HCl with Mg powder and 3 M HCl with magnesium oxide. Combine these Hrxn equations and values with that of one other reaction in order to get the equation and Hf value for the oxidation (combustion) of Mg to MgO.

Experimental Procedure.

You will need the same laptop computer with MicroLab software used previously for this experiment. Use the same Microlab Interface and thermistor that was used for the Solution Calorimetry experiment.
Caution: You must wear approved safety goggles in the laboratory. Always wash your hands before leaving the laboratory.

Measuring the heats of reaction of the HCl reactions with magnesium powder and magnesium oxide. The objective of this exercise is to calculate the Hf value for the oxidation (combustion) of Mg to MgO. This Hf(MgO) will be determined from the measured Hf values of the following two reactions plus one other reaction. 2 HCl (aq) + Mg (s) 2 HCl (aq) + MgO (s) MgCl2 (aq) + H2 MgCl2 (aq) + H2O (Hrxn,1) (Hrxn,2)
(H rxn,3)

Another reaction from the textbook

Mg (s) + 1/2 O2 (g)

MgO (s)

Hf

1. Hrxn,1 Measure Trxn,1 for the reaction between 0.150 to 0.200 g of Mg and 100 mL of 2.00 M HCl. Combine this data with the calorimeter constant provided and calculate Hrxn,1. You must record the exact mass of Mg used. Record the temperature data using the MicroLab interface the same way you recorded the solution calorimetry data. Make sure you save the data when the reaction is complete.

2. Hrxn,2 Measure Trxn,2 for the reaction between 0.500 g of MgO and 100 mL of 3.00 M HCl. Combine this data with the calorimeter constant provided and calculate Hrxn,2. You must record the exact mass of MgO used. Record the temperature data using the MicroLab interface the same way you recorded the solution calorimetry data. Make sure you save the data when the reaction is complete.

Microlab Software manipulations: (If you are working on this data after lab, open MicroLab and choose Simulate/Open File/Hand Enter to look at your data. Once the program opens you must then open each individual file to use the data collected.) MicroLab software can be downloaded from the course web site. To find T for each reaction: Click on Select Domain in the graph area of the MicroLab screen. A magnifying glass should appear as your mouse pointer. Choose the area of the initial linear portion of the data before mixing occurred by click and dragging the magnifying glass over the area of the data points (this can be repeated, so do not worry if you do not get the area you want the first time!). Once you release the mouse, the area will be rescaled on the screen. For the Initial Temperature: Click on Analysis in the graph area. The next window is to confirm that the area you chose is correct and any changes in the domain selection can be made here. Click on OK. When the next window opens, choose First Order (Linear). The equation to the line will appear below the graph. Record that equation or print that graph. Enter the time of mixing in seconds as the x value and calculate the y value. That will be your initial temperature in Celsius. For the Final Temperature: Click on Zoom Out All and the entire graph will be shown again. Perform the same steps as above except choose the linear portion of the plot after mixing where the temperature has leveled off. . Enter the time of mixing in seconds as the x value and calculate the y value. That will be the final temperature in Celsius. The difference between the two temperatures (T final T initial) is T for the reaction.

Other manipulations: 1. Data can be saved and exported to other graphing programs, i.e., Excel, as a comma separated text file. Click on File on the top toolbar and then click on Export Data As and choose Comma-Separated- Value text file and provide a file name and save. 2. Graph properties can be changed by clicking on Graph on the top toolbar and clicking on Graph Properties. The properties window will offer a selection of changes that can be made to the presentation of the data. 3. Graphs from the MicroLab program can be printed directly by clicking on Graph on the top toolbar and click on Print This Graph. Post-lab Summary Report Include your data in tabular form, attach all plots and show all calculations with proper units.

1. What is your experimentally determined value for Hrxn,1 or Hrxn,2? Show all calculations. 2. Show how you calculated Hf(MgO). Do we get meaningful numbers (data)? Compare/ contrast literature values with observed values. 3. Draw a conclusion based on your results. 4. Include a discussion of possible experimental error.