IB Chemistry

Experiment 3: Measurements and Errors

Name ………………………………………………………..

Aim:
In this experiment, you will be investigating the average rate of cooling of a given mass of
water. Measurements of mass, temperature and time will be required. You will need to
consider the uncertainties of the instruments and apparatus used and the resulting
uncertainty of your calculations to find the average rate of cooling of the given mass of
water.

The average rate of cooling in this experiment is the energy loss (ΔE) per unit time (t).
The energy loss can be calculated by the formula mcΔT where m is the mass of water in
grams, c is the specific heat capacity of water (taken as 4.18 J g -1 K-1) and ΔT is the change in
temperature.

Apparatus/Materials
mass balance
25 cm3 measuring cylinder
stopwatch
thermometer (-10 oC – 110 oC)
styrofoam cup
250 cm3 beaker
water at 60 oC

Method:
1. Measure the mass of an empty styrofoam cup.
2. Measure 20 cm3 of water at 60 oC, pour it into the styrofoam cup and determine the mass
of the water added.
3. Measure and record the initial temperature of the water in the cup, and start the
stopwatch.
4. Stop the stopwatch when the temperature of the water in the cup drops by 10C.
5. Record the final temperature of the water in the cup and the time taken.

Results:
Read the method and draw a table that you will use to record your data.

Processing data:
Using your data, calculate the average rate of cooling including uncertainties in all steps.
Use a spread sheet to repeat this calculation for the data from the other students.

1
 IB Chemistry

Reflection:
Rate of cooling is very different for different temperatures
Water expands when it’s hot (+ evaporation) -> Density is lower -> Mass is lower
No way to prevent evaporation -> put a lid?

Mass of Initial Time taken for Final Rate of

Mass of water
empty cup temperature a drop by 10*C temperature cooling
(+- 0.002g)
(+- 0.001g) (+- 0.5*C) (+- 0.01s) (+- 0.5*C) (*C/s)

0.0691
2.384 18.686 60.0 144.70 50.0
+- 0.0069

2.485 19.008 60.0 192.83 50.0 0.0519

2.499 18.754 59.0 98.46 49.0