Determining the Enthalpy of the Solution for Sodium Hydroxide (Naoh) and Water (H2O)

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Determining the enthalpy of the Solution for Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) and water (H2O) Introduction: The aim of this investigation is to determine the enthalpy of the solution created from dissolving Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) into water (H20) by the application of the principles of calorimetry. NaOH(s) + H2O(l) → Na+ + OH- + H20 + HEAT Relevant Theories: * When a solid ionic compound is dissolved in water, a change of enthalpy is involved1 * In exothermic reaction2: * System always loses energy * The change in enthalpy is always negative * Temperature always increases (Everything is opposite for Endothermic reaction) Explanation to Theories: * When a solid dissolves in water, the process will always have energy change associated with it, this is because the positive and negative ions of the salt will interact with the water molecules. Therefore it is true that when a solid ionic compound is dissolved in water, a change of enthalpy is involved. * These theories for the exothermic reaction are true because bonds are constantly being formed in exothermic reactions. When bonds form, energy is required, hence the system will always lose energy. The energy lost will always be greater than the energy required to break bonds, this explains the negative change in enthalpy. Finally, the extra energy that is released from the excess energy lost from reaction will be released. This energy is usually released in a form of heat, causing the temperature to increase. Recording Raw Data: Quantitative Observation: Measurements of Water, Salt, and Mixture of the two Trial | Volume of Tap Water (mL) ±0.01 mL | Mass of Salt (g)±0.01 g | Initial Temperature (Ti) of water in the calorimeter ±0.1 °C | Final Temperature (Tf) of water in the calorimeter ±0.1 °C | 1 | 70.02 | 7.03 | 22.8 | 52.2 | 2 | 70.05 | 7.07 | 22.8 | 45.2 | 3

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