Hess’ Law Lab

Name: Period:

When a reaction can be expressed as the algebraic sum of a sequence of two or more reactions, the heat of the reaction
is the sum of the heats of these other reactions. This is known as Hess's Law. In this activity, you will use this law to
determine the heat of a reaction which is difficult to measure directly using a calorimeter.

Magnesium metal burns rapidly, releasing light and heat, as you have observed when burning magnesium ribbon in a
flame. The reaction is:

Mg(s) + 1/2 O2(g)  MgO(s)

This reaction is very difficult to measure the energy of directly due to how fast the reaction takes place, and because
some of the energy is released as “light”. However, the reaction can be obtained by combining reaction 1, 2, and 3.

1. MgO(s) + 2 HCl(aq)  MgCl2(aq) + H2O(l)

2. Mg(s) + 2 HCl(aq)  MgCl2(aq) + H2(g)

3. H2(g) + 1/2 O2(g)  H2O(l)

Procedure:

Reaction 1
1. Measure ~100.0 mL of 1.0 M HCl solution and pour it into a calorimeter. Record the precise volume and the
initial temperature of the solution.
2. Mass ~1.00 gram of magnesium oxide (Record the precise mass) and add it to the solution in the calorimeter.
Stirring, record the highest temperature reached. Discard the solution in the sink and rinse out the calorimeter
and graduated cylinder.

Reaction 2
1. Measure ~100.0 mL of 1.0 M HCl solution and pour it into a calorimeter. Record the precise volume and the
initial temperature of the solution.
2. Mass about ~0.50 grams of Mg ribbon (Record the precise mass) and add it to the solution. Stirring, record the
highest temperature reached. Discard the solution in the sink and rinse out the calorimeter and graduated
cylinder.

Data Table:
Reaction 1 Reaction 1 Data
Volume of HCl solution
Initial Temperature of HClaq
Final Temperature of HClaq
Mass of magnesium oxide
Reaction 2 Reaction 2 Data
Volume of HCl solution
Initial Temperature of HClaq
Final Temperature of HClaq
Mass of Mg ribbon
Calculations:

In the chart, show equation/substitution/answer for each of the following:

1. Determine the mass of the HCl solution used in each reaction. (Hint: Since HClaq is mostly Water, assume the
density of the solution = 1.00g/mL) =
2. Determine the change in temperature( T) for each reaction. =
3. The specific heat (c) of HClaq = 4.18 J/g oC (Since it is essentially water). Determine the heat (q) in kilojoules for
each reaction using the heat equation. =
You will need to convert from J to kJ after using the equation!
4. Determine the number of moles of magnesium oxide reacted and the moles of magnesium reacted by using the
molar mass of each compound. Stoichiometry
( )
5. Determine the heat of reaction ( HR) for each reaction in kilojoules/mole (kJ/mol). =

Equations Used Reaction 1 MgO Reaction 2 Mg

1. Mass of HClaq used

2. Temperature Change ( T)

3. Heat (q) in kJ

4. Mole of each added (MgO or Mg)

5. Heat of reaction in kJ/mol

(MgO or Mg)
Conclusion Questions:

1. Write the heat of reaction value for reaction #1 and #2 (from the calculations) in kJ/mol. Your calculated values
are most likely (+) because you were actually measuring the heat “gained” by the environment. Since the
reaction itself was releasing the heat, it must be the (-) value.

HRXN1 =(-)______________

HRXN2 =(-)______________

HRXN3 =________________ Write the heat of reaction for reaction #3 as found on page 580 of your textbook.

2. From the first page, combine equation 1, 2, and 3 to obtain Mg(s) + 1/2 O2(g)  MgO(s) using Hess’ Law. Show
what happens to the H values along the way. Find the H value for Mg(s) + 1/2 O2(g)  MgO(s).

3. The accepted value for Mg(s) + 1/2 O2(g)  MgO(s) is [-601.1 kJ/mol]. Calculate your experimental error.

4. Determine whether the reactions you performed were Endothermic or Exothermic.

MgO as reactant Mg as reactant

_____________________________ _______________________________

5. Explain at least one possible source of error inherent to the procedure of the lab and how it affects the
outcome. Human error is not an acceptable response. (you may continue on to the next page)
Remember CER (Claim, Evidence, Reasoning)