Experiment 4: Thermodynamics of the Dissolution of Borax

Abstract:

Thermodynamics is the study of heat and its transformations. The properties of

thermodynamics are entropy, enthalpy and free energy. The properties of thermodynamics
can be viewed in terms of spontaneity. Spontaneity is a spontaneous change of a system that
occurs by itself under specific conditions, without input of energy from the surroundings.

Entropy, ΔS˚, is the tendency for the universe to move towards more disorder. If the value
for entropy was negative, then the amount of disorder within a system would decrease, thus
causing the reaction to be non-spontaneous. Moreover, if the value for entropy was positive,
then the amount of disorder would increase within a system which would cause the reaction
to occur spontaneously.

Enthalpy, ΔH˚, is the total energy within a system in relation to work and heat. If the value
of enthalpy is negative, then the reaction is exothermic. Moreover, if the value of enthalpy is
positive, then the reaction is endothermic.However, the magnitude of the enthalpy does not
determine the spontaneity of a reaction.

Data:

Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3 Solution 4 Solution 5

Temperature 55 45 35 25 15
(°C)
Temperature 328 318 308 298 288
(K)
1 3.05x10-3 3.14x10-3 3.25x10-3 3.36x10-3 3.47x10-3
(K-1 )
𝑇
Final burette 10.5 20.5 28.5 35.0 42
reading (mL)
Initial burette 0 10.5 20.5 28.5 35
reading)
Volume HCl 10.5 10.0 8.0 6.5 7.0
(mL)
Moles H+ 5.25x10-3 5.0x10-3 4.0x10-3 3.3x10-3 3.25x10-3
Moles 5.25x10-3 5.0x10-3 4.0x10-3 3.3x10-3 3.25x10-3
B4O5(OH)42-
Molarity 1.05 1.0 0.8 0.66 0.65
B4O5(OH)42-
Ksp 4.63 4.0 2.05 1.15 1.10
ln Ksp 1.53 1.39 0.718 0.140 0.0953

Calculations:

1. Plot the natural logarithm of the solubility product (ln Ksp) versus the reciprocal
1
Kelvin temperature (𝑇 (K-1 ) ) for each sample using the EXCEL software.
 1.8

1.6

1.4

1.2

1
ln Ksp

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0
3.05x10-3 3.14x10-3 3.25x10-3 3.36x10-3 3.47x10-3
-0.2
K-1

2. Use the slope and intercept to calculate ∆H° and ∆S°.

∆H° 1 ∆S°
ln Ksp = +
𝑅 𝑇 𝑅

𝑦 = 𝑚.𝑥 + 𝑐
∆H° (1.6)−(1.2)
= (3.05𝑥10−3)−( 3.14𝑥10−3) = 4.18x104
𝑅

4.18x104
∆H° = = 5.03x103 J = 5.03 kJ
8.314

1 ∆S°
Substitute point (3.05x10-3,1.6) into ln Ksp = 4.18x104. 𝑇 + ,
𝑅

∆S°
1.6 = 4.18x104 . 3.05x10-3 + 𝑅

∆S°
= -125.89
𝑅

−125.89
∆S° = = -15.14 JK-1
8.314

3. Calculate the standard free energy change, ∆G° for the solution of borax.

∆G° = ΔH° - TΔS° = 5.03x103 J – 328 K (-15.14 JK-1) = 9.996x103 J = 9.996 kJ

Discusion:

1. Does the solubility of borax in water increase or decrease as temperature increase?

The solubility of borax in water increases as the temperature increases. More HCl is
required to titrate samples collected at higher temperatures, indicating that more borax is
dissolved at higher temperatures.

2. Is the dissolution of borax in water a temperature dependent reaction or is it

spontaneous at all temperature at which water is liquid? Briefly explain.

∆G° is positive indicating that it is a temperature dependent and non-spontaneous

reaction. ∆H is positive indicating that the reaction is an endothermic reaction. ∆S is
negative indicating that the system becomes less disordered (or more ordered) through the
course of the reaction.

Questions:

1. Based on the values of enthalpy and entropy that you determined for the dissolution of
Borax, what would be the solubility of borax at 85 °C?

85 °C = 358 K
∆H° 1 ∆S° 1
ln Ksp = + = (4.18x104) (358) + (-125.89) = -9.13
𝑅 𝑇 𝑅

2. Name the other indicator could replace the methyl red in this experiment? Give the
colour changes.

Indicator Acid Neutral Alkaline

Methyl orange Pink Orange Yellow
Litmus Red Purple Blue
Phenolphthalein Colourless Colourless Pink

Conclusion:

The values of ΔS˚, ΔH˚ and ΔG˚ were calculated to be -15.14 JK-1, 5.03 kJ, and 9.996 kJ,
respectively. Errors resulted in the handling of the test solutions causing either a loss or gain
of heat, thus resulting in an inconsistent titration between borax and HCl. This would have
caused a higher or lower calculation of ΔS˚, ΔH˚ and ΔG˚. In addition, the inaccuracy in
pipetting the saturated solid borax, which would require an increased amount of HCl, needed
to reach an equivalence point thus, causing a higher ΔS˚, ΔH˚ and ΔG˚.

Improvements in this experiment could have been made by increasing the number of trials.
In addition, the use of a centrifuge would have increased the precision of the data by limiting
the amount of saturated solid borax that could be pipetted. Thus, the value of Ksp found
could increase the precision of the calculations of ΔS˚, ΔH˚ and ΔG˚.
Reference:

 Determination of Thermodynamics Values (Chromatography and Spectroscopy)

http://interchemnet.um.maine.edu/data/labs/Borax_8697.htm

 Brady, James E., Holum, John R. “Chemistry: The Study of Matter and Its
Changes” John Wiley & Sons Inc 1993

 Harwood, William, Herring, Geoffrey, Madura, Jeffry, and Petrucci, Ralph,

General Chemistry: “Principles and Modern Applications” Ninth Edition, Upper
Saddle River, New Jersey, Pearson Prentice Hall, 2007

 Brown, Theodore L., LeMay, H. Eugene Jr., Bursten, Bruce E. “Chemistry: The
Central Science” Fifth Edition, Prentice-Hall, Inc. Englewood Cliffs, N.J. 07632
1991