Investigating the Heat Given in Neutralisation

Research Question:
How does the molar ratio between the acids and base affect the heat produced during a
neutralisation reaction involving NaOH?

Hypothesis:
If neutralisation is related to molar ratio, H2SO4 will be neutralised with double the amount
of NaOH whereas the other acids will become an alkaline solution, so then the most
neutralisation will occur between H2SO4 and NaOH and will produce the most heat
energy.

1 : 1 (molar ratio)
HCl(aq) + NaOH(aq) -> NaCl(aq) + H2O(l)
100ml 200ml

1 : 1
HNO4(aq) + NaOH(aq) -> NaNO3(aq) + H2O(l)
100ml 200ml

1 : 2
H2SO4(aq) + 2NaOH(aq) -> Na2SO4(aq) + 2H2O(l)
100ml 200ml

Independent variable:
Type of acid (HCl, HNO4, H2SO4)

Dependent variable:
The increase in heat produced during neutralisation (C)

Controlled variables:
o Temperature of reactants (room temp.)
o Type of base (NaOH)
o Molarity of reactants (2mol/dm)
o Volume of reactants
o Depth of thermometer in solution (at the bottom of beaker)

Apparatus/Materials:
o Beakers (glass, 100ml)
o Measuring cylinder (50ml 1ml)
o Thermometer (-10C to 110C 0.5ml)
o HCl (aq) (2mol/dm, 100ml)
o H2SO4 (aq) (2mol/dm, 100ml)
o HNO4 (aq) (2mol/dm, 100ml)
o NaOH (aq) (2mol/dm, 200ml)
Investigating the Heat Given in Neutralisation


Method:
1) Precisely measure out 50ml of NaOH using a measuring cylinder at eye level
reading the volume at the meniscus. Pour the NaOH into a beaker.
2) Measure the temperature of the NaOH with a thermometer and record in a table.
3) Rinse the measuring cylinder with water and measure out H2SO4 the same way.
4) Measure the initial temperature of the acid and record in your table.
5) Add the acid to the beaker of NaOH and measure the temperature at its highest and
record.
6) Rinse the beaker with water and repeat steps 1 to 5 with the other two acids. Make
sure all volumes, the base and other controlled variables are the same to keep the
experiment fair.
7) Repeat the experiment with all three acids 5 times to make sure you results are
reliable.



http://nobel.scas.bcit.ca/chem0010/unit10/10.4_neutralization.htm
http://schoolworkhelper.net/how-to-write-hypothesis-for-lab-report/