TITLE: HEAT OF FORMATION OF MgO-HESS’ LAW

Aims and Objectives:

1. To be determine the Heat of Formation of MgO(s) by the application of Hess’ Law.
2. To be able to measure the enthalpy changes in a series of related reactions.
3. To be conversant with measuring the time intervals when a reaction is occurring.
4. To be conversant with measuring the temperature of a substance using a thermometer.
5. To be able to handle concentrated acids and appropriately dispose off waste acids

INTRODUCTION
Enthalpy is a term used to quantify heat flow into or out of system in a constant pressure process.
Enthalpy of formation or heat of formation is the enthalpy change that occurs when a compound is formed
from its constituent elements, in their standard state. For a statement like the heat of formation (∆Hf ) of
MgO is -602KJ/mol, it implies that when Mg solid combines with O2 gas, under standard conditions, the
energy given of is -602 KJ/mols. The importance of the knowledge of a compound’s heat of formation
(∆Hf ) is that once we know their values, we can calculate the heat of reaction.

Heat of reaction (∆Hrxn) is the difference between the enthalpies of the products and the enthalpies of the
reactants
∆Hrxn = ∑n∆Hf (products) - ∑n∆Hf (reactants)
In order to use this equation we must know the ∆Hf of the compounds that take part in the reaction. To
determine the ∆Hf values, we can apply the direct or indirect method.

This experiment will make use of the indirect method, which is based on Hess’s Law. The law states that,
the enthalpy change of a reaction is independent of a reaction path. This means we can breakdown the
reaction into a series of reactions for which ∆Hxn can be measured. This is because many compounds can
be synthesized directly from their elements. In some cases, side reactions produce substances other than
the desired product.

A calorimeter is a device used in experiments involving enthalpy changes.

CHEMICALS AND EQUIPMENT

Volumetric flask 12M Hydrochloric acid
Stopper Distilled water
Beaker Magnesium solid
Pipette Magnesium oxide
Calorimeter
Digital balance
Conical flask
Thermometer
Graduated cylinder
PROCEDURE

A. PREAPRATION OF DILUTE HCL

1. With the initial and final concentration (0.5M) of the 12M HCl together with its final volume
(500ml), the initial volume to be taken was calculated. The value obtained was verified by the
T.A.
2. A 500ml volumetric flasks was first rinsed with distilled water and then 300ml of distilled was
poured into it.
3. The required amount of 12M HCl was measured into a volumetric flask and using a funnel, the
concentrated acid was added slowly to the water in the volumetric flask.
4. The funnel and graduated cylinder were rinsed, and rinsing was added to the flask.
5. Enough distilled water was added to fill it to the 5000ml mark and covered with a stopper.
6. The flask was inverted to mix the solution.

B. HEAT OF REACTION OF Mg(S) + 2H+

1. About 0.4g of Mg metal (on weighing paper) and the weight was recorded to the nearest
milligram.
2. The calorimeter was assembled as shown below with the thermometer approximately 5cm from
the bottom of the calorimeter.
3. A magnetic stir bar and stir plate were used to mix the solutions.
4. 200ml of 0.5M HCl (aq) was added to the calorimeter and the acid solution was mixed slowly with
the stir bar after which temperature of the solution at 30 second intervals for 5 minutes.
5. To the calorimeter was added magnesium metal and stirring was continued noting the time at
which the Mg metal was added to the solution after addition.
6. Temperature readings were recorded at 30 seconds interval for 20 minutes.

C. HEAT OF REACTION OF MgO(S) + 2H+(aq)

1. About 0.7g of Mg metal (on weighing paper) and the weight was recorded to the nearest
milligram.
2. The calorimeter was assembled as shown below with the thermometer approximately 5cm from
the bottom of the colorimeter.
3. A magnetic stir bar and stir plate were used to mix the solutions.
4. 200ml of 0.5M HCl (aq) was added to the calorimeter and the acid solution was mixed slowly with
the stir bar after which temperature of the solution at 30 second intervals for 5 minutes.
5. To the calorimeter was added magnesium metal and stirring was continued noting the time at
which the powdered MgO was put into the solution after addition.
6. Temperature readings were recorded at 30 seconds interval for 20 minutes.

TABLE OF RESULTS

A. Preparation of dilute solution of acid

1. C1V1=C2V2
C1=12M, C2= 0.5M, V2=0.5L, V1=?
V1= C2V2
C1
 V1=0.5x0.5
12
= 20.83ml
20.83ml of the 12M acid was used to prepare the dilute acid

B. Heat of reaction of MgO(s) + 2H+

A. Heat of reaction of Mg(s) + 2H+ Time(t)/s Temperature(T) /oC
Temperatures of the HCl alone = 26.0 oC 0 26.0
Temperatures of the HCl alone = 26.0 oC 30 26.0
Time(t)/s Temperature(T) /oC 60 26.0
0 26.0 90 26.0
30 26.0 120 26.0
60 26.0 150 26.0
90 26.0 180 26.0
120 26.0 210 26.0
150 26.0 240 26.0
180 26.0 270 26.0
210 26.0 300 26.0
240 26.0 330 26.0
270 26.0 360 26.5
300 26.0 390 27.0
330 27.0 420 27.5
360 27.0 450 28.0
390 27.0 480 29.0
420 27.0 510 29.5
450 27.0 540 29.9
480 27.0 570 30.1
510 27.0 600 31.0
540 27.0 630 31.0
570 27.0 660 31.0
600 27.0 690 31.0
630 27.0 720 31.2
660 27.5 750 31.5
690 27.5 780 31.5
720 27.5 810 31.5
750 27.5 840 31.5
780 27.5 870 31.2
810 27.5 900 31.1
840 27.5 930 31.0
870 27.5 960 31.0
900 27.5 990 31.0
930 27.5 1110 31.0
960 27.5 1140 31.0
1170 31.0
1200 30.9
1230 30.9
1260 30.9
990 27.5 1290 30.9
1110 27.5 1320 30.9
1140 27.5 1350 30.9
1170 27.5 1380 30.9
1200 27.5 1410 30.9
1230 27.5 1440 30.9
1260 27.5 1470 30.9
1290 27.5 1500 30.9
1320 27.5
1350 27.5
1380 27.5
1410 27.5
1440 27.5
1470 27.5
1500 27.5

CALCULATION/ POST LAB

1) a) From the graph

For Mg(s) + 2H+(aq) reaction, ∆T= 31.9-26.0
∆T= 5.9 oC

b) For MgO + 2H+ reaction, ∆T= 27.5-26.0

∆T= 1.5oC

2) Density of water = 1.00g/ml

Heat capacity of solution = 4.18J/g oC
Volume of solution = 200ml
P (Mg) = m (Mg)
v (Mg)
Mass of solution, m = P x v
= 1 x 200 = 200g
Heat of reaction = Heat gained by calorimeter + Heat gained by solution
But given that heat change in calorimeter is negligible;

Heat of reaction of Mg = Heat gained by solution

= mc∆T
=200 x 4.18 x 5.9
=49324
=4.9324KJ/g

Heat of reaction = Heat gained by calorimeter + Heat gained by solution

But given that heat change in calorimeter is negligible;

Heat of reaction of MgO = Heat gained by solution

 = mc∆T
=200 x 4.18 x 5.9
=1254
=1.254KJ/g

3) Molar Heats of Reaction

For Mg,
Mass m of Mg = 0.4g
Molar mass M of Mg = 24.31g/mol
No. of moles, n of Mg= m = 0.4g
M 24.31g/mol
= 0.016mol
∆Hrxn of Mg = qrxn
No. of moles of Mg

= 4.9324KJ
0.016mol
= 308.3KJ/mol

For MgO,
Mass m of Mg = 0.7g
Molar mass M of Mg = 24.31+16= 40.31g/mol
No. of moles, n of Mg= m = 0.7g
M 40.31g/mol
= 0.017mol
∆Hrxn of Mg = qrxn
No. of moles of Mg

= 1.254KJ
0.017mol
= 73.76KJ/mol

Heat of Formation of MgO

1. Mg(s) + 2H+(aq) → Mg2+(aq) +H2(g) ∆Hrxn =-308.3 KJ/mol
2. MgO(s) + 2H (aq) → Mg (aq) +H2O(g) ∆Hrxn =-73.76 KJ/mol
+ 2+

3. H2 (g) + 1/2O2 (g) → H2O(g) ∆Hrxn =-285.8KJ/mol

Reversing equation 2: and using Hess’s Law:
Mg(s) + 2H+(aq) → Mg2+(aq) + H2(g) ∆Hrxn =-308.3KJ/mol
Mg2+ (s) + H2O (g) → MgO(s) + 2H+ ∆Hrxn =73.76KJ/mol
H2 (g) + 1/2O2 (g) → H2O(l) ∆Hrxn =-285.8 KJ/mol
Mg + 1/2O2 (aq) → MgO ∆Hf =-520.34KJ/mol

4. % Error = (true value – expected value) x 100

True value
= [-601.8 - (-520.34)] x 100
-601.8
= 13.54%

SOURCES OF ERROR
 1. With reference to literature, it was observed that the heat of formation calculated to the actual
volume showed 13.54% error.
2. The Mg metal was not placed in the beaker immediately into the solution to enhance accuracy of
temperature reading.
3. Readings of all Mg and MgO weights were read to two decimal places because of the instability of
the digital balance.

DISCUSSION
It was observed for both reactions that, the temperature of the acid in the calorimeter was constant for the
time given before the addition of the metals. The reaction of the metal took a higher temperature than the
reaction of MgO. For the Mg, the temperature rose steadily with an initial temperature of 26.0 oC to 31.9
o
C. MgO also rose in temperature from 26.0oC to 27.5 oC.

The rate of a reaction is dependent on the surface area of the compound. A large surface area increases the
number of effective collision per unit time and the rate of a reaction. Likewise, a small surface area would
decrease the rate of a reaction.
When the Mg solid was added, the reaction occurred at a slow pace in the start. The change was gradual
before it started decreasing steadily and finally remained constant. This was so because, Mg was a solid
ribbon so it took some time to dissolve in the acid before proper reaction commenced.

For MgO, the temperature rose by a few degrees and remained constant. The reason attached to this
observation is that, before the metal oxide were added, the acid was dilute. Dilute acids do not often give
off heat depending on the degree to which they have been diluted. If it was concentrated, the temperature
would have risen sharply
Also the powdery nature of MgO meant a large surface area and therefore it took a shorter time to
dissolve and react with the acid. This could be seen in the graph as the MgO’s graph rose sharply,
implying excessive reaction.

The percentage error for the enthalpy of MgO was 15.34%. This was supposedly accounted for by the
simplifying assumptions in the experiment such as rounding off values to two significant figures instead
of three.

PRECAUTIONS
1. It was ensured that the concentrated acid was added to the water and not the other way round.
2. All pipette readings were taken accurately from the bottom of the meniscus.
3. It was ensured that the thermometer did not touch the bottom or side of the calorimeter.
4. The glassware was washed with the sample of the solutions before use.
5. Safety glasses and aprons were throughout the experiment.
6. Hands were thoroughly washed before leaving the laboratory.

CONCLUSION
Exothermic reactions have negative enthalpy values. Also for, every compound to be synthesized, it must
follow at least one step. Hess’s Law is effective in calculating the heat of formation for multiple step
reactions.

REFERNECES
1. Chemistry Structure Dynamics- Francis Marion Miller- Fourth Edition

PRE-LAB
1. Increase in temperature increases the rate of effective collision. The fraction of molecules with
K.E. greater than the activation energy will be increased and the rate of the reaction will increase.
The 50ml of potassium iodide solution and the remainder of the dilute potassuimpersulphate
mixture were maintained at a constant temperature of 60oC because the activation energy will be
minimal; hence the rate of the reaction will increase.
At 25 oC, there will be cooling since temperature will be reduced hence the reaction will be
brought to an end at the stable temperature.

2. a) It was ensured that all readings were taken accurately.

b) It was ensured that the tip of the thermometer did not touch the sides or bottom of the flask
during heating.
c) The titration process was carried out carefully to obtain accurate results.
d) Avoidance of huge reaction time when recording time readings for the respective temperature.