Lab Number:

Date:

Name:

Title: Latent Heat Capacity

Aim: To determine the latent heat of fusion of ice using method of mixtures

Theory:

1. Define latent heat of fusion -

Specific latent heat of fusion is the amount of heat energy required to change 1kg of a
solid to a liquid and back at a constant temperature.
2. The SI unit for latent heat of fusion - J/kg
3. Equations relating to latent heat of fusion - Eh = mlf

Apparatus: Styrofoam cup, water, ice, thermometer, Electronic Balance, beaker, wire gauze, Bunsen burner

Variable: Independent: Temperature of water

Dependent: latent heat capacity of Fusion

Controlled – mass of Styrofoam cup

Diagram:

DIAGRAM SHOWING THE APPARATUS FOR THE SPECIFIC LATENT HEAT OF

FUSION OF ICE EXPERIMENT

stirring rod
water
beaker

Styrofoam cup
Stirring rod
ice
Bunsen burner
thermometer
rr

Method:
1.
The mass, mC, of the Styrofoam cup was found using the balance.
2.
Water was warmed in a beaker to about room temperature and poured it into a
Styrofoam cup.
3.
The mass, m1, of the water and the Styrofoam cup was found.
4.
The initial temperature, T1, of the water was measured.
5.
Small pieces of ice were dried using the filter paper and were slowly added to the water.
6.
The ice was stirred until it was completely melted and the final temperature, T 1 of the
water was noted.
7.
The final mass, mF, of the water in the Styrofoam cup was identified using the balance.
Data Collected:

TABLE SHOWING THE RESULTS FOR THE SPECIFIC LATENT HEAT EXPERIMENT

Mass of Styrofoam cup, mc /g 6.1 g

Mass of cup and water, m1/g 149.2g

Mass of water, mw/ g 143.1

Initial Temperature of water T1/C 22oc

Final Temperature of water T2/C 10oc

Final mass of cup, water, and melted ice/Kg 174.5 g

Data Analysis:

1. Write an equation that equates the heat loss to the heat gain in this experiment.
EH water =EH ice m water c water ∆T water =(m ice c melted ice ∆T melted ice) +
(mice Lf
2. How much thermal energy did the original mass of water lose?
EH water = m water c water ∆T water
EH water = ( mi − mc)/ 1000 kg * 4200Jkg-1℃-1* (Tf – Ti) ℃
EH water = 149.2−6.1 1000 kg* 4200Jkg-1℃-1* (10-22) ℃
EH water = 0.1431kg * 4200Jkg-1℃-1 * -12℃
EH water = -7,212.24J
3. What was the gain in energy of the melted ice as its temperature rose from 0 oC?
EH melted ice = mice c melted ice ∆T melted ice
EH melted ice = ( mf−mi ) 1000 kg * 4200Jkg-1℃-1* (Tf – Ti) ℃
EH melted ice = (174.5−149.2) 1000 kg * 4200Jkg-1℃-1*(10-0) ℃
EH melted ice = 0.0253kg * 4200Jkg-1℃-1* 10℃
EH melted ice = 1062.6 J
4. Using your answer above, find the amount of thermal energy required to melt the ice at 0 oC
Energy lost by water=Energy gained by ice
EH water = EH ice
EH water = EH melted ice + EH ice to water
-7,212.24J =1062.6 J + (EH ice to water)
5. What value does your experiment give for the specific latent heat of fusion? Write your answer in
J/Kg.
𝐸ℎ 𝐿𝑜𝑠𝑡 𝑏𝑦 𝑊𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 = 𝐸ℎ 𝐺𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝐼𝑐𝑒 + (𝑚 ∙ 𝐿𝑓)
9851.31𝐽 = 2534.7𝐽 + (0.017𝑘𝑔 ∙ 𝐿𝑓)
 𝐿𝑓 = -7,212 – 1062.6 / (0.017𝑘𝑔)
𝐿𝑓 = -486,741.18 𝐽𝑘𝑔 −1
𝐿𝑓 = -487,000 𝐽𝑘𝑔 −1
6. List the precaution that you took to ensure accuracy and explain how they increase the accuracy
of your answer.

- Ensure that the ice was dried before placing it in the cup: If the ice were not
dried there would be water on the ice. The excess water on the ice would
have interfered with the final mass of liquid in the cup, but it would not
gain the same amount of heat the ice would gain, making the results
inaccurate.

7. Compare your answer to the theoretical value for the specific latent heat of ice and account for
any difference.

The known value for the latent fusion of ice is 80 grams the value that was recorded
from the result was vastly different however this would most likely be due to
unstable environments for example temperatures varying because of the cup being
uncovered, ice not being dried among other reasons.

Sources of Error:

- The temperatures fluctuated due to the cup not being covered.

- The temperature may not have been read from eye level which could cause an
inaccurate reading.

Precaution:
- Ensure the electric scale is properly zeroed before proceeding with the
experiment.
- Ensure the ice is dried before being placed in the cup.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the latent heat of fusion of water was found using the method of mixtures.
Within the limits of experimental error, the latent heat of fusion of water was found to be approximately -
487,000Jkg-1