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Endothermic and Exothermic Reactions

Some chemical reactions absorb energy and are called endothermic reactions. Many chemical reactions give off energy. Chemical reactions that release energy are called exothermic reactions. You will study one endothermic reaction and one exothermic reaction in this experiment.

In Part I, you will study the reaction between citric acid solution and baking soda. An equation for the reaction is

 

 

 

 

In Part II, you will study the reaction between magnesium metal and hydrochloric acid. An equation for this reaction is

 

 

 

OBJECTIVES

In this experiment, you will

  • Observe two chemical reactions.

  • Use a computer to measure temperature changes.

  • Determine the change in temperature, Dt, for each of the reactions.

  • Identify endothermic and exothermic reactions.

 

 

MATERIALS

computer

250 mL beaker

Vernier computer interface

balance

Logger Pro 

citric acid, H3C6H5O7, solution

Vernier Temperature Probe

baking soda, NaHCO3

50 mL graduated cylinder

hydrochloric acid, HCl, solution

Styrofoam cup

magnesium, Mg

 

PROCEDURE

1.   Obtain and wear goggles.

Part I  Citric Acid Plus Baking Soda

2.   Place a Styrofoam cup into a 250 mL beaker as shown in Figure 1. Measure out 30 mL of citric acid solution into the Styrofoam cup. Place the Temperature Probe into the citric acid solution.

3.   Connect the Temperature Probe to the computer interface and set the Data Collection Duration to 12 minutes.

4.   Weigh out 10.0 g of solid baking soda on a piece of weighing paper.

5.   Note: The Temperature Probe must be in the citric acid solution for at least 45 seconds before this step.

  • Click  to begin data collection.

  • After a few temperature readings have been made, add the baking soda to the citric acid solution.

  • Stir the solution to ensure good mixing.

  • Collect data until a minimum temperature has been reached and the temperature readings begin to increase, then click .

6.   Take a screen shot of the graph.

7.   Dispose of the reaction products as directed by your teacher.

8.   Click the Statistics button, . Record the minimum and maximum temperatures.

Part II  Hydrochloric Acid Plus Magnesium

9.   Measure out 30 mL of HCl solution into the Styrofoam cup. CAUTION: Handle this acid with care. It can cause painful burns if it comes in contact with your skin or gets into your eyes. Place the temperature probe into the HCl solution.

10.   Note: The Temperature Probe must be in the HCl solution for at least 45 seconds before this step.

  • Click  to begin data collection.

  • After a few temperature readings have been made, add the Mg to the HCl solution.

  • Stir the solution to ensure good mixing. CAUTION: Do not breathe the vapors!

  • Collect data until a maximum temperature has been reached and the temperature readings begin to decrease, then click.

11.   Take a screen shot of the graph.

12.   Dispose of the reaction products as directed by your teacher.

13.   Click the Statistics button, . Record the minimum and maximum temperatures.

14.  Write group member names on a piece of paper and leave it in the tray. Move tray to the counter by the sink.

 

DATA

                                                                                    Part I                           Part II

                        Minimum temperature                     2.471 °C                       23.15    °C

                        Maximum temperature                     22.82  °C                      36.24 °C

 

Temperature Graph for Part 1:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temperature Graph for Part 2:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ANALYSIS
 

1.   Calculate the temperature change, Dt, for each reaction by subtracting the minimum temperature from the maximum temperature (Dt = tmax – t min).

 

a. 22.82 - 2.471 = 20.349

 

b. 36.24 - 23.15 = 13.09 

 

 

2.   Tell which reaction is endothermic. Tell which reaction is exothermic. Explain.

 

The first reaction was endothermic as it got colder and the second reaction was exothermic because it got hotter. 

 

 

3.   For each reaction, describe three ways you could tell a chemical reaction was happening.

 

a. For the first experiment, it started fizzing, getting colder and reacted with the acid. 

 

b. For the second experiment, it also started fizzxing, getting hotter, and vapour started exerting from the cup. 

 

 

4.   List three important exothermic reactions you have seen. List one endothermic reaction you know.

 

Endothermic: 

Fizzing

getting hotter

melting

 

 

 

CONCLUSION: 

 

This experiment showed both endothermic and exothermic reactions. And they showed chemical reactions too. They also showed evidence that endothermic and exothermic reactions were taking place. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11 Grams 

 

2.5 Celcius 

 

Minimum: 2.471 at 4.183

 

Maximum: 22.82 at 0.2167 

Endothermic and Exothermic Reactions 

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