Purpose:

To determine the heat of reaction for

(i) Na2CO3 + 2HCl → 2NaCl + H2O + CO2 ∆H1

(ii) NaHCO3 + HCl → NaCl + H2O + CO2 ∆H2

and indirectly, determine the heat of reaction using the Hess Lawon the fixed summation of
heat, for a reaction

(iii) 2NaHCO3 → Na2CO3 + H2O + CO2 ∆H3

Teory

The heat content of a system is referred to as the enthalpy of the system, and is marked with a
symbol ∆H. The amount of heat absorbed or released in the chemical reaction is known as the heat of
reaction. The heat of reaction is given a symbol ∆H, and units for ∆H is kJ mol-1. If measured at
constant pressure, the heat of reaction is equal to the change in enthalpy of a system.

Heat of reaction is the change in heat that occurs when the number of moles of
reactants as shown in the chemical equation reacts at standard conditions to form reaction
products under standard conditions. The standard condition is a condition where the
temperature is equal to 25 ° C or 298 K, the pressure is equal to 1 atm (101.3 kPa or 760
mmHg), the solution concentration is equal to 1.0 mol dm-3, and the material and the
reaction product must be under normal physical conditions. As discussed earlier, enthalpy is
the heat content a substance at constant pressure.

The enthalpy change is the change in the heat content of a system at constant
temperature and pressure. The value of the enthalpy change is obtained from the difference
between the total enthalpy of the reaction product and the total enthalpy of the reaction
material.

When a change in enthalpy occurs at standard conditions, the symbol representing it is ∆H.
Other terms that have the same meaning as enthalpy change are enthalpy of reaction, heat change, and
heat of reaction. The enthalpy change may be negative (exothermic reaction), positive (endodermic
reaction), or even zero (thermoneutral reaction). The change in mentality is useful as an indicator of
the stability of a material or system.

The change in enthalpy of a reaction depends only on the difference between the
standard enthalpy content of the result and the standard enthalpy content of the reaction and
does not depend on how the reaction is perfected. This idea is expressed in the law of Hess.
Hess’s law states that the heat released or absorbed during a chemical change is
independent of the path the change is accomplished. The amount of heat change of a
system is the same, whether the reaction takes place in one step or in a series of steps. That
is, if a system (say system A) is converted to a system (say system B) at constant pressure,
the heat change is independent of the path from system A to system B. In fact, Hess's law is
equivalent to the law of immortality of energy which says that energy cannot created or
destroyed.

Hess's law is useful for determining the heat change of a reaction which cannot be
determined directly. The calculation of the change in area using Hess's law can be done
through two methods, namely the algebraic method or the flow chart method. Similarly, the
lattice energy of an ionic compound can be determined from the atomic energy, ionization
energy, electron affinity and formation energy using Hess's law.

Material:

EC1 is 2.0 moldm-3 hydrochloric acid.

EC2 is an anhydrous sodium carbonate solid.

EC3 is a solid of sodium hydrogen carbonate.

Apparatus:

50 cm3 burette, retot legs and clamps, plastic cup, thermometer °C110 °C (± 0.2 °C),
washing bottle containing distilled water, electric scale (± 0.01g)

Procedure:

1. Using a burette, pour 30.00 cm3 of EC1 into a plastic cup. Leave it plastic cup with its
contents for a few minutes and record the temperature solution into the table below.

2. Weigh accurately a test tube containing 2.00 to 2.40 g of EC2 and record its weight.

3. Simultaneously transfer all EC2 into a plastic cup containing EC1. Make sure all solids in
the test tube enter the plastic cup and none the liquid splashed out.

4. Stir the solution carefully using a thermometer, and record the temperature the highest
achieved.

5. Repeat the above procedure using EC3 instead of EC2. Weigh with exactly 2.75g to 3.15g
EC3.
Result:

All readings and weights are recorded in the table below

EC2 EC3

Weight of test tube + solid /g 52.73 53.3

Weight of empty test tube /g 50.42 50.42

Solid weight /g 2.31 2.78

The initial temperature of 28 28

acid/ °C

The final temperature of the 24 22

mixture / °C

Temperature change / °C 4 6

Dicussion

Energy level for the reaction

i. The assumptionsThe density of each solution is 1.00 g per cm3. This means
every 1.00 cm3 the solution is 1.00 g that have been made are based on
calculations.
ii. No heat is released into the environment during the experiment, or heat
absorption from other environments.
iii. The heat needed to heat any part of the cup plastic ignored. This means the
experimental apparatus (cup plastic the) does not absorb any heat.

Steps to be taken to improve the accuracy of ∆H1 values, ∆H2 and ∆H3

i. The initial temperature of hydrochloric acid, taken only after a few minutes to
ensure that the solutions have reached a uniform temperature.
ii. The anhydrous sodium carbonate solid and the sodium hydrogen carbonate solid
should each be poured into the hydrochloric acid solution as quickly and carefully
as possible to reduce heat loss to the environment and avoid spilling of the
solution.
iii. Mix the solution in a cup plastic should always be stirred throughout the reaction
to ensure that the temperature of the solution is uniform.
 iv. Thermometer readings should be observed at all times so that the final
temperature reached by the mixed solution can be recorded. The highest
temperature recorded must be the highest temperature reached by the mixed
solution after the reaction is complete and all reaction heat has been released.
v. The anhydrous sodium carbonate and sodium hydrogen solids must be in powder
form or in small lumps to ensure that the reaction takes place quickly and
perfectly and reduce heat to the environment.
vi. Avoid using a stirrer that can absorb heat from the solution.
vii. All fans should be kept closed to reduce wind movement and the rate of heat loss
to the environment.

In general, the heat of reaction can be determined through experimental methods in the
laboratory to obtain information such as the quantity of reactants used (including the number
of moles and the total mass or volume of solution) and temperature changes in a reaction.
Most experiments on the determination of the heat of a reaction usually involve a reaction
performed in an aqueous solution. Therefore, some assumptions need to be made to
simplify the calculation for obtain the heat of reaction. Water in an aqueous solution will be
known as the environment. Therefore, heat is absorbed from water or released into water
when the reaction takes place in an aqueous solution. Thus, changes in the temperature of
the solution will be detected.

The quantity of heat absorbed or released by a chemical reaction can be seen as shown
below:

Heat released by a chemical reaction = heat absorbed by the solution (temperature of

the solution increases)

Heat absorbed by a chemical reaction = heat released by the solution (temperature of

the solution decreases)

energy level diagrams for related reactions

For response Na2CO3 + 2HCl → 2NaCl + H2O + CO2

 For response NaHCO3+ HCl → NaCl + H2O +CO2

For response 2NaHCO3 → Na2CO3 + CO2 + H2O

Conclusion

1. The heat of reaction can be determined by conducting experiments in the laboratory.

2. The heat of reaction for the equation Na2CO3 + 2HCl → 2NaCl + H2O + CO2 is 50.15 kJ/mol.

3. Heat of reaction for the NaHCO3+ HCl → NaCl + H2O +CO2 is 134.11 kJ/mol.

4. Using Hess's law, the heat of reaction for the equation 2NaHCO3 → Na2CO3 + CO2 + H2O is
318.37 kJ/mol.
References

Dawkins, R. (2004).Oxford Illustrated Sceince Encyclopedia. New York: Oxford University

Press.

Lim, Y. S. (2001). Siri Teks STPM Matrikulasi Kimia Fizikal. Selangor Darul Ehsan: Pearson
Education Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.

Loh, Y. L., & N. Sivaneson. (2004). STPM Physical Chemistry Volume 2. JohorDarul Takzim:
Penerbitan Pelangi Sdn. Bhd.

Norbani Abdullah, Latifah Abdol Latif, & Roslinda Ithnin. (1998). Kimia Fizikal Asas
Matrikulasi. Selangor Darul Ehsan: Penerbit Fajar Bakti Sdn. Bhd.

Tan, Y. T. (2004). Kimia Fizik STPM. Selangor Darul Ehsan: Penerbit Fajar Bakti Sdn. Bhd.