Exothermic and Endothermic Reaction

fName
1. ______________________
2. ______________________
3. ______________________

Temperature changes in exothermic and endothermic reactions

I. Aim: Decide whether various reactions are exothermic or endothermic by measuring the temperature
change

II. Apparatus and Materials

Apparatus Materials
 dropping pipette [1]  aqueous copper (II) sulfate of
 Calorimeter [1] concentration 0.8 mol / dm3
 25 cm3 measuring cylinder [1]  1 spatula of zinc powder
 thermometer, –10 °C to +110 °C with 1  Vinegar 15 cm3
°C graduations [2]  1 teaspoon of bicarbonate soda.
 stop-clock [1]

III. Instructions and Results

Read all of the instructions carefully before starting the experiments
Experiment 1
You are going to investigate the temperature change when zinc reacts with aqueous solutions of
copper (II) sulfate.
● Set up the calorimeter with the thermometer.
● Use a measuring cylinder to pour 20 cm3 of solution into the calorimeter.
● Use a thermometer to measure the initial temperature of the solution. Record this in the
space above the table.
● Add 1 spatula of zinc powder to the calorimeter. Put the lid on and at the same time start
a stopwatch.
● Continually stir the mixture in the calorimeter. Record the temperature every 30 seconds
for 240 seconds. Record the temperatures in the table.

initial temperature = .............................. °C

time / s 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240

temperature / °C

temperature change / °C
● Complete the table by calculating the temperature changes from the initial temperature
using the equation:

temperature change = temperature – initial temperature

[3]

(a) Complete a suitable scale on the y-axis and plot your results from Experiment 1 on the grid.
Draw a curve of best fit which start at (0,0).

1
 Exothermic and Endothermic Reaction

temperature
change / C

0
0 50 100 150 200 250
time / s

[3]
(b) From your graph, deduce the temperature change at 110 seconds in Experiment 1.

Show clearly on the grid how you worked out your answer.

.............................. °C [2]

(c) Suggest why the experiments were done in a calorimeter rather than a glass beaker.

....................................................................................................................................... [1]

(d) Suggest whether this experiment is exothermic or endothermic

....................................................................................................................................... [1]

(e) Circle the correct word(s) in the energy story based on the experiment above.

During the chemical reaction, energy is transferred to / from the water. The product solution is
at a higher temperature than the surrounding air. Energy is transferred to / from the
surrounding air.

2
 Exothermic and Endothermic Reaction

Experiment 2

1. Set up the calorimeter.

2. Use the measuring cylinder to measure out 20 cm3 of vinegar solution and pour it into the
calorimeter.
3. Measure the initial temperature of the vinegar solution and record it in a table.
4. Carefully add 1 spatula of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) to the vinegar solution in the
calorimeter. Put the lid on.
5. Stir and record the maximum or minimum temperature reached.
6. Work out the temperature change, leave it until 5 min and decide if the reaction is exothermic or
endothermic.

Starting Minimum
Final temperature /°C
Reactant 1 Reactant 2 temperature /°C temperature /°C

Reactant solution Product solution Product solution

Based on your results, decide which reaction was endothermic. Circle the correct word(s) in the energy story.

The thermal energy (heat) is taken in by the reacting substances (the system)/ transferred from
the reacting substance and so leads a decrease/ increase in the thermometer of the surroundings.
This process name is endothermic/ exothermic.

IV. Diagram energy

Based on your experiment, which energy is endothermic and exothermic (energy diagram not
temperature)?