2.1 Calorimetry
Stearic acid and paraffin wax cooling curve
Introduction
This assignment mainly focuses on the calibration of thermometers and the analysis of
stearic acid and paraffin wax. Cooling curves measure how fast a substance changes
(energy change) in temperature over time. It is a way of calculating the purity of a
substance; to calculate this, I will need to take the temperature of each substance at
regular intervals as they heat and cool plot and analyze the shape of the graph drawn
which accurately shows the melting and boiling point of the substance measured in this
assignment (ice, stearic acid and paraffin wax).
Aim:
The main aim of this practice is to determine the cooling curves of various substances
(paraffin wax and stearic acid) by observing the cooling behavior of the stearic
acid/paraffin wax as they transition from the liquid phase to the solid phase .After
collecting the data from the practical's it will require me to plot a graph for each which the
outcome of the graph will allow me to draw conclusions of the experiment's. The data
obtained allows analysis and comparison between the two substances. This experiment
indicates how pure substances are and how you can determine this by calculating the data
through a cooling curve. For the results to be concordant, calibration of the thermometer
was done.
Calibration of a thermometer
The process of verifying the accuracy of a thermometer’s readings against a known
standard, such as the melting point of ice (0°C ice was used in this experiment) or the
boiling point of water which is 100°C. This process is called calibration of a thermometer;
it ensures that the thermometer provides reliable measurements. This is crucial in
scientific applications where accuracy and precision are key.
Aim
To calibrate a digital and analogue thermometer by confirming their readings at two fixed
points: the freezing point (0 degrees Celsius) and the boiling point of water (100 degrees
Celsius). During all this I will be recording the temperature shown on each thermometer
regularly at 1-minute intervals to produce a calibration curve.
,Risk assessment
Hazard Risk Precaution Risk level Justification
Crushed ice Falling or Use a spatula Low This is a low
slipping due to when dealing minimal risk if
wet surfaces is with the precautions are
a huge risk. This crushed ice by followed
is caused by taking small properly. The
the melting of amounts at a melting ice may
crushed ice. time when sometimes or
transferring the often create
ice into the slippery
beaker as the surfaces, but
ice may have this can be
started to melt controlled
already which through proper
could result in cleaning of the
drops of water spillages.
on to floors and
work surface.
Immediately
wipe up any
spills or
leakages with a
tissue or cloths
etc.
Beaker/glasswa Walking around Shattered glass Medium Glass beakers
re breakage with glass causes skin are subjected
equipment cuts and open to breakage
poses a risk of wounds if the and the
glass breaking glass cuts deep breakage
and even when enough which causes pieces
the glass leaves the to be sharp
equipment punctured which can cut
such as the wound in a and causes
beaker is vulnerable injuries to the
utilized during state open to human body.
the calibration potential serve Also, when
accidental infection. To heated the
knocks causes prevent any of glass beaker
breakage. these things can also cause
from occurring potential burns.
, immediately,
get treatment if
injured and if
not clean up
the pieces with
a dustpan and
brush carefully.
Before using
the beaker
inspect it for
any cracks to
prevent
spillages or
extra cracks.
Always handle
the glass
equipment with
dry handles to
avoid
accidental
droppings. The
beaker should
always be
placed on the
workbench/are
a or in this case
on top of the
gauze and
tripod.
Heatproof meat Can cause fire Make sure that Low Although this is
if exposed to the size of the a low risk, I
direct flame mat is large would still need
from the Busen enough to fit all to take extra
burners. Burns the necessary measures to
can also be equipment's make sure all
caused if the needed for the risks are
mat is not calibration limited, and the
placed such as the experiment is
correctly under tripod and safe to be
the heated Busen burner conducted so
equipment. for example. that means all
This is done to equipment that
protect the poses risks will
work surface need to be
Stearic acid and paraffin wax cooling curve
Introduction
This assignment mainly focuses on the calibration of thermometers and the analysis of
stearic acid and paraffin wax. Cooling curves measure how fast a substance changes
(energy change) in temperature over time. It is a way of calculating the purity of a
substance; to calculate this, I will need to take the temperature of each substance at
regular intervals as they heat and cool plot and analyze the shape of the graph drawn
which accurately shows the melting and boiling point of the substance measured in this
assignment (ice, stearic acid and paraffin wax).
Aim:
The main aim of this practice is to determine the cooling curves of various substances
(paraffin wax and stearic acid) by observing the cooling behavior of the stearic
acid/paraffin wax as they transition from the liquid phase to the solid phase .After
collecting the data from the practical's it will require me to plot a graph for each which the
outcome of the graph will allow me to draw conclusions of the experiment's. The data
obtained allows analysis and comparison between the two substances. This experiment
indicates how pure substances are and how you can determine this by calculating the data
through a cooling curve. For the results to be concordant, calibration of the thermometer
was done.
Calibration of a thermometer
The process of verifying the accuracy of a thermometer’s readings against a known
standard, such as the melting point of ice (0°C ice was used in this experiment) or the
boiling point of water which is 100°C. This process is called calibration of a thermometer;
it ensures that the thermometer provides reliable measurements. This is crucial in
scientific applications where accuracy and precision are key.
Aim
To calibrate a digital and analogue thermometer by confirming their readings at two fixed
points: the freezing point (0 degrees Celsius) and the boiling point of water (100 degrees
Celsius). During all this I will be recording the temperature shown on each thermometer
regularly at 1-minute intervals to produce a calibration curve.
,Risk assessment
Hazard Risk Precaution Risk level Justification
Crushed ice Falling or Use a spatula Low This is a low
slipping due to when dealing minimal risk if
wet surfaces is with the precautions are
a huge risk. This crushed ice by followed
is caused by taking small properly. The
the melting of amounts at a melting ice may
crushed ice. time when sometimes or
transferring the often create
ice into the slippery
beaker as the surfaces, but
ice may have this can be
started to melt controlled
already which through proper
could result in cleaning of the
drops of water spillages.
on to floors and
work surface.
Immediately
wipe up any
spills or
leakages with a
tissue or cloths
etc.
Beaker/glasswa Walking around Shattered glass Medium Glass beakers
re breakage with glass causes skin are subjected
equipment cuts and open to breakage
poses a risk of wounds if the and the
glass breaking glass cuts deep breakage
and even when enough which causes pieces
the glass leaves the to be sharp
equipment punctured which can cut
such as the wound in a and causes
beaker is vulnerable injuries to the
utilized during state open to human body.
the calibration potential serve Also, when
accidental infection. To heated the
knocks causes prevent any of glass beaker
breakage. these things can also cause
from occurring potential burns.
, immediately,
get treatment if
injured and if
not clean up
the pieces with
a dustpan and
brush carefully.
Before using
the beaker
inspect it for
any cracks to
prevent
spillages or
extra cracks.
Always handle
the glass
equipment with
dry handles to
avoid
accidental
droppings. The
beaker should
always be
placed on the
workbench/are
a or in this case
on top of the
gauze and
tripod.
Heatproof meat Can cause fire Make sure that Low Although this is
if exposed to the size of the a low risk, I
direct flame mat is large would still need
from the Busen enough to fit all to take extra
burners. Burns the necessary measures to
can also be equipment's make sure all
caused if the needed for the risks are
mat is not calibration limited, and the
placed such as the experiment is
correctly under tripod and safe to be
the heated Busen burner conducted so
equipment. for example. that means all
This is done to equipment that
protect the poses risks will
work surface need to be
