Name: ………………………………………………… Class: ………..

2018 ACJC Chemistry Promotional Examination (Practical): Theory Practice

Experiment 1

In this experiment, you are to determine the enthalpy change for the thermal decomposition of
NaHCO3 into Na2CO3, CO2 and H2O through an indirect method:
• reaction between NaHCO3 and H2SO4
• reaction between Na2CO3 and H2SO4

You are provided with the following:

FA 1 – 0.5 mol dm-3 aqueous H2SO4

FA 2 – weighing bottle containing between 3.20 and 3.40 g of solid NaHCO3
Styrofoam cup supported in a beaker
Thermometer (0.5 oC interval)

Part 1 – Reaction between NaHCO3 and H2SO4

Procedure

1. Weigh FA2 together with the bottle and record the total mass.
2. Using a measuring cylinder, add 75 cm3 of FA1 into the Styrofoam cup and record the initial
temperature.
3. Quickly transfer all the FA2 from the bottle into the Styrofoam cup and record the final
temperature.
4. Weigh the empty bottle to determine the mass of FA2 used for the reaction.
5. Tabulate the mass readings and temperature readings obtained.

Results

Mass Readings

Mass of weighing bottle + FA 2 / g 6.48

Mass of empty weighing bottle / g 3.16
Mass of FA 2 used / g 3.32

Table: Complete table with appropriate headings

Readings: All values shown to 2 or 3 d.p.

Temperature Readings

Final temperature / oC 29.0

Initial temperature / oC 32.0
Change in temperature / oC -3.0

Table: Complete table with appropriate headings

Readings: All values shown to 1 d.p.
(No mark awarded if final T is higher than initial T)
Accuracy (∆T): within ±0.5 oC
[5]

© ACJC Chemistry 2022 14

(a) Write the chemical equation for the reaction between FA1 and FA2.

2NaHCO3 + H2SO4 → Na2SO4 + 2CO2 + 2H2O

[1]

(b) Given that 4.5 J are required to raise the temperature of 1 cm 3 of the reaction mixture by 1 oC,
calculate the heat change involved in the reaction between FA1 and FA2.

q = mc∆T = (75)(4.5)(∆T) = (75)(4.5)(3) = + 1012.5 J = + 1010 J

1010 J (3s.f.)
heat change = ……………………….……………….… [1]

(c) Calculate the enthalpy change for the complete reaction of FA1 with one mole of FA2, ∆H1.
(Ar of H = 1.0; C = 12.0; O = 16.0; Na = 23.0)
𝟑.𝟑𝟐
nFA2 = 𝟖𝟒.𝟎 = 0.03952 mol

𝒒 𝟏𝟎𝟏𝟐.𝟓
∆H1 = + =+ = +25619.94 J mol-1 = +25.6 kJ mol-1 (sign must be indicated)
𝒏 𝑭𝑨𝟐 𝟎.𝟎𝟑𝟗𝟓𝟐

+25.6 kJ mol-1 (3s.f.)

enthalpy change, ∆H1 = ……………………….……………….… [2]

© ACJC Chemistry 2022 15

Part 2 – Reaction between Na2CO3 and H2SO4

No experiment is to be carried out for this part.

FA 3 – solid Na2CO3

Through the same procedure given in Part 1 on page 14, using FA3 instead of FA2, it is found that
the enthalpy change for the complete reaction of FA1 with one mole of FA3, ∆H2, is -44.6 kJ mol-1.

(d) Write the chemical equation for the reaction between FA1 and FA3.

Na2CO3 + H2SO4 → Na2SO4 + CO2 + H2O

[1]

(e) Write the chemical equation for the thermal decomposition of NaHCO3.

2NaHCO3 → Na2CO3 + CO2 + H2O

[1]

(f) Use your answer to (c) and the information given above to answer the following question.

By applying Hess’ Law or otherwise, calculate the enthalpy change for the thermal
decomposition of NaHCO3, ∆Hr.

∆Hr
2NaHCO3 (s) Na2CO3 (s) + CO2 (g) + H2O (l)
+ H2SO4 + H2SO4
2∆H1 ∆H2
Na2SO4 (aq) + 2CO2 (g) + 2H2O (l)

(Energy cycle need not be drawn)

By Hess’ Law,
∆Hr = 2∆H1 – ∆H2 (Working must be shown)
= +2(+25.6)-(-44.6)
= +95.8 kJ mol-1 (Sign must be indicated)

+95.8 kJ mol-1 (3s.f.)

enthalpy change, ∆Hr = ……………………….……………….… [2]

[Total: 13]

© ACJC Chemistry 2022 16

Experiment 2

In this experiment, you are to determine the percentage by mass of Na2CO3 in a solid mixture of
Na2CO3 and NaHCO3, FA4, by a titrimetric method.

You are provided with the following:

FA 5 – an aqueous solution containing 6.45 g dm-3 of FA4

FA 6 – 0.05 mol dm-3 aqueous H2SO4
Methyl orange indicator

Procedure

1. Fill a burette with FA 6.

2. Pipette 25.0 cm3 of FA 5 into a 250 cm3 conical flask and add 1-2 drops of methyl orange
indicator.
3. Titrate the content of the flask with FA6 until an appropriate colour change is observed at the
end-point.
4. Repeat the titration as many times as necessary to obtain consistent results.
5. Record the results in the form of a table, ensuring that the recorded results show the precision
of your titration.

Results

1 2
3
Final burette reading / cm 26.60 26.60
Initial burette reading / cm3 0.00 0.00
Volume of FA6 used / cm3 26.60 26.60

Table: Complete table with appropriate headings and readings shown to

2 d.p.
Consistency: At least two consistent readings within ±0.10 cm3

Obtain a suitable average titre from your titration results. Show clearly the titres you used in
calculating the average.

Average: Working and correct answer

Accuracy (Vavg): within ±0.10 cm3 [4]
±0.10 - ±0.20 cm3 [3]
±0.20 - ±0.30 cm3 [2]
> ±0.30 cm3 [1]

Summary

25.0 cm3 of FA 5 required 26.60 cm3 of FA6 for complete neutralisation.

[7]

(a) Calculate the amount of H2SO4 that reacted with 25.0 cm3 of FA5.

𝟐𝟔.𝟔𝟎
nH2SO4 = 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎
x 0.0500 = 0.00133 mol
0.00133 mol (3s.f.)
amount of H2SO4 = ……………………….……………….… [1]

© ACJC Chemistry 2022 17

(b) Given that the colour change using methyl orange is seen when complete neutralisation of both
Na2CO3 and NaHCO3 in FA5 has occurred, write two separate chemical equations for the
complete reaction of each substance in the mixture.

Na2CO3 + H2SO4 → Na2SO4 + CO2 + H2O

2NaHCO3 + H2SO4 → Na2SO4 + 2CO2 + 2H2O

[2]

(c) Using the stoichiometric ratio obtained from your answer to (b), calculate the percentage by
mass of Na2CO3 in FA4.
(Ar of H = 1.0; C = 12.0; O = 16.0; Na = 23.0)

In 1 dm3, let
mass of Na2CO3 be x g
mass of NaHCO3 be (6.45 – x) g

𝟐𝟓 𝒙 𝒙
nNa2CO3 in 25.0 cm3 FA5 = 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎 x 𝟏𝟎𝟔.𝟎 = 𝟒𝟐𝟒𝟎 mol

𝟐𝟓 𝟔.𝟒𝟓−𝒙 𝟔.𝟒𝟓−𝒙
nNaHCO3 in 25.0 cm3 FA5 = 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎 x 𝟖𝟒.𝟎
= 𝟑𝟑𝟔𝟎
mol

𝒙
nH2SO4 to neutralise Na2CO3 = mol [0.5]
𝟒𝟐𝟒𝟎

𝟏 𝟔.𝟒𝟓−𝒙 𝟔.𝟒𝟓−𝒙
nH2SO4 to neutralise NaHCO3 = 𝟐 ( 𝟑𝟑𝟔𝟎
) = 𝟔𝟕𝟐𝟎
mol

𝒙 𝟔.𝟒𝟓−𝒙
nH2SO4 = +
𝟒𝟐𝟒𝟎 𝟔𝟕𝟐𝟎

x = 4.25
𝒙
Percentage by mass of Na2CO3 in FA4 = 𝟔.𝟒𝟓 x 100% = 65.9 %

65.9 % (3 s.f.)
percentage by mass of Na2CO3 = ………………….……………….… [3]

[Total: 13]

© ACJC Chemistry 2022 18

Experiment 3

The composition of FA4 mentioned in Experiment 2 can also be determined by a gravimetric

method, which makes use of the change in mass that occurs when a sample undergoes thermal
decomposition. Na2CO3 is stable to heat, while NaHCO3 undergoes thermal decomposition into
Na2CO3, CO2 and H2O as mentioned previously.

(a) You are to write a plan to determine the percentage by mass of Na2CO3 in FA4 by gravimetric
method.

Your plan must include the following:

• procedural steps involved in carrying out the experiment

• data to be collected and tabulated appropriately

Data to be collected:
Mass of empty boiling tube [1] (subsumed under Step 1)
Residual mass of FA4 [1] (subsumed under Step 5)

Procedure:

1. Weigh out a clean, dry boiling tube and record its mass.

2. Weigh out accurately about 3.00 g of solid FA4 [1] in a boiling tube.

3. Gently heat the solid [1] in the boiling tube initially and then strongly for about 3
minutes.

4. Cool the boiling tube and weigh it with its contents.

5. Heat the tube and its contents again for another 2 minutes, cool it and weigh it
again.

6. Repeat the heating and cooling (step 5) [1] until a constant mass [1] is attained.

7. Record all the masses in the table below.

Mass of boiling tube + FA4 / g

(If the method indicates transfer of solid into another glassware or weighing bottle for
weighing, candidates need to mention the idea of quantitative transfer, otherwise
penalise 1m)

[6]

© ACJC Chemistry 2022 19

(b) Carry out your plan in (a).

Record all data obtained appropriately in the space below and determine the percentage by
mass of Na2CO3 in FA4.
(Ar of H = 1.0; C = 12.0; O = 16.0; Na = 23.0)

Result

Mass of boiling tube + FA4 before heating / g 33.25

Mass of empty boiling tube / g 30.20
Initial mass of FA4 / g 3.05

Mass of boiling tube + FA4 / g 33.01 32.89 32.89

Minimum three mass readings in the table

At least two constant mass readings in the table

Calculation

Residual mass of FA4 = 32.89 – 30.20 = 2.69 g

Loss of mass of FA4 = 3.05 – 2.69 = 0.36 g

2NaHCO3 → Na2CO3 + CO2 + H2O

For every 168 g of NaHCO3, a loss of mass of 62 g occurs (gaseous CO2 and H2O).
𝟏𝟔𝟖
Mass of NaHCO3 in FA4 = 𝟔𝟐 x 0.36 = 0.9755 g
Mass of Na2CO3 in FA4 = 3.05 – 0.9755 = 2.075 g
𝟐.𝟎𝟕𝟓
Percentage by mass of Na2CO3 in FA4 = x 100% = 68.0% (3 s.f.)
𝟑.𝟎𝟓
[6]

(c) Comment on the values of percentage by mass of Na2CO3 obtained in Experiment 2 and
Experiment 3. Suggest a reason for the difference, if any.

The percentage by mass obtained in Experiment 3 is higher than that in Experiment 2

due to incomplete decomposition of NaHCO3.

OR

The percentage by mass obtained in Experiment 3 is lower than that in Experiment 2 due
to inaccurate titration OR overheating that causes decomposition of Na2CO3 as well.

OR

The percentage by mass obtained in Experiment 3 is in agreement with that in

Experiment 2 as both experiments were conducted accurately OR there was no
experimental error.
[2]
[Total: 14]

© ACJC Chemistry 2022 20