TWEED RIVER HIGH SCHOOL

PRELIMINARY CHEMISTRY
Unit 3
Water
Part 5
Water has a higher heat capacity than many other liquids.
Explain what is meant by the specific heat capacity of a substance.
The specific heat capacity, C, is the number of joules of heat
energy required to raise the temperature of one gram of the
substance by one Celsius degree, C or one Kelvin, K.
Specific heat is measured in J g-1 K-1
Compare the specific heat capacity of water with a range of other
solvents.
Solvent

Specific Heat Capacity

J g-1 K-1
4.18
2.22
2.38
2.39
2.44
3.53
1.05
0.54

Water
Octane
Glycerol
1,2-ethanediol
Ethanol
Methanol
Benzene
Carbon tetrachloride
Explain and use the equation:

H = -mC T

The specific heat capacity may be used to determine the energy

absorbed or released when the temperature of a substance increases
or decreases.

The equation used to calculate the heat energy

involved is:
H = -mCT
Where:
H is the heat energy absorbed or released, (joules, J)
m is the mass of substance being heated or cooled, (g)
C is the specific heat capacity of the substance being heated or
cooled,( J g-1 K-1).
T is the temperature change of the substance being heated or
cooled, (K). (Note that the symbol , (delta), means change in).
H is also called the enthalpy of the substance and represents stored
chemical energy of the substance.
Examples 16.1 & 16.2p273
Exercises 1, 2

Explain how waters ability to absorb heat is used to measure energy

changes in chemical reactions.

Calorimetry
Calorimetry is the measurement of heat changes in a system.
A calorimeter is equipment used to measure the heat change. A
calorimeter consists of a thermally insulated container containing a
known mass of water. Heat is released or absorbed from a change
and then absorbed or released by the water. This causes a change in
the temperature of the water.

1. Calorimeter

Fig. 2 Experimental Calorimeter

Tian-Calvet Microcalorimeter
The calorimeter consists of two symmetrical thermal fluxmeters, each constructed by a series
of 480 thermocouples surrounding a cylindrical hole for the measurement cells. The electric
signal delivered by the difference in output voltage of the two fluxmeters is proportional to the
thermal effect occuring in the cells. It is calibrated by using electrical heaters inside the cells.
The temperature of the calorimeter (-190 to 200C) can be regulated by using a cold nitrogen
gas flow and electric heating.

The calorimeter can be used for the measurement of enthalpies of mixing and solution,
enthalpies of fusion and transition, enthalpies of reactions, enthalpies of adsorption and
desorption and heat capacities. For each application suitable measurement cells are
available.

Scheme of the Tian-Calvet Microcalorimeter

Homework: What is a bomb calorimeter. Include diagram

Describe dissolutions which release heat as exothermic and give

examples.

 A reaction in which energy is released to the surroundings is called

an exothermic reaction.
The enthalpy of the products is lower than the reactants:
For example: Energy is released to the surroundings when methane is
burnt in air.

CH4(g) + 2O2(g)
reactants
This amount
of energy is
released to the
surroundings
CO2(g) + 2H20(g)
products

If the reaction is exothermic, Tis positive, so the H value is

negative.

Describe dissolutions which absorb heat as endothermic and give

examples.

 A reaction in which energy is absorbed from the surroundings is

called an endothermic reaction.
The enthalpy of the products is higher than the reactants:
For example: Energy is absorbed from the surroundings the solvent
carbon disulfide is manufactured:
4C(s) + 8S(g) + energy 4CS2(g)

4CS2(g)
products
This amount
of energy is
absorbed to the
surroundings
4C(s) + 8S(g)
reactants

If the reaction is endothermic, Tis negative, so the H value is

positive.

The change in enthalpy, (H), during a chemical reaction is known

as the heat of reaction.
H
heat of reaction

H(products)

enthalpy of products
6

H(reactants)
enthalpy of reactants

Fig 16.3 p276 text

Values for the heat of reaction are usually given per mole of one of
the reactants or products
For example the decomposition of water is an endothermic
reaction:
H2O(l) H2(g) + O2(g)
H for the reaction is +286Kj. Which means that 286 kJ of energy
are absorbed in the decomposition of one mole of water.
Two common methods for indicating H are:
H2O(l) H2(g) + O2(g)

H = +286kJ

H2O(l) + 286kJ H2(g) + O2(g)

Explain why waters ability to absorb heat is important to aquatic
organisms and to life on earth generally.

 Chemically all living things can be pictured as aqueous solutions

surrounded by membranes. The chemical reaction in the aqueous
solutions and on the surface of the membranes are catalysed by
enzyme proteins which function in a narrow temperature range.
It is critical that the narrow temperature range be maintained
otherwise the structure of enzymes can change so much that they
cannot function.
A temperature rise in a human can be fatal as essential enzymes
stop functioning. Normal body temperature is 37C while at
40.5C the person can become delirious. Permanent body damage
or death can occur at 44C.

The following properties of water all help to minimise temperature

change and act as a thermal regulator. Water has:
1. a high heat capacity
2. low viscosity and relatively high heat conductivity which
support movement of heat away from a source
3. large heat of vaporisation
(The latent heat of vaporisation of a substance is the heat
absorbed per mole when the substance changes from liquid
to gas at constant temperature.)

In an aquatic environment the temperature is held in a narrow

range. The high heat capacity of water minimises fluctuations in
temperature. Most aquatic animals body temperature depends on
the temperature of their surroundings. Large fish such as tuna

which chase other animals have ways of reducing heat loss. This
ensures that chemical reactions releasing energy can proceed at an
adequate rate to supply the bursts of energy needed to catch prey.
A higher proportion of terrestrial animals maintain a constant body
temperature. Sweating to cool the body and behaviours like
seeking shade, hunting at night help minimise fluctuations in
temperature. Dogs pant by breathing with their moist mouth open
and moist tongue hanging out. Evaporation of this moisture cools
the dogs body.

Explain what is meant by thermal pollution and discuss the

implication for life if a body of water is affected by thermal
pollution.
Thermal pollution occurs when heat energy is added to the
environment causing unwanted or harmful effects. Human activity
producing increased temperature in waterways is the main source of
thermal pollution.
Because of waters large heat capacity it is often used as a cooling
fluid for industry or electrical energy generation in power stations.
When hot water is released into the environment such as a river or
shallow lake the high heat capacity of water results in release of a
large amount of heat energy. This large amount of heat energy may
take a long time to disperse.
The main effect of thermal pollution on lakes and rivers is the
reduction in the concentrations of dissolved gases such as oxygen and
carbon dioxide in the water. At the higher temperatures associated

with thermal pollution the concentration of dissolved oxygen may fall

below that necessary to sustain particular life forms that are present.
Fish are particularly susceptible to changes in water temperature. At
higher temperatures fish have a higher metabolic rate, requiring a
higher concentration of dissolved oxygen when in fact the levels of
dissolved oxygen are lower. Fish such as trout that thrive in cold
water will die if the temperature goes up more than a few degrees.
Other ecological effects can include the displacement of plankton, the
food base of aquatic ecosystems, by blue-green algae at higher
temperatures.

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