1
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in
Applied Science
Unit 2B: Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques
Isbat Uddin
ID: 11208069
Learning Aim B: To undertake Calorimetry to study cooling curves
Title: Keeping up the standards
Scenario:
I am a newly appointed technical assistant at a large chemical plant, Chemicalequip.
As part of my induction period and to progress in my role, you must demonstrate
skills in a range of practical procedures and techniques. Part of my role is to ensure
equipment is calibrated and chemicals are safely checked.
I need to demonstrate your ability to use a calorimeter and associated equipment to
obtain data to determine, analyse and evaluate the rate of cooling of substances. I
will need to present evidence of your practical skills analysis and evaluation in a
report.
Introduction:
In this assignment, the cooling curves of stearic acid and paraffin wax will be used to
determine the way in which the temperature of a substance varies as it loses heat.
The cooling curves will be obtained by measuring the temperatures of the two
substances at equal intervals of time.
The results obtained from the experiment will be used to calculate gradients, which
will be used to compare the experimental results with the actual values to determine
the accuracy of the experiment. The differences in the cooling curves of the
substances will be explained using particle theory and the strength of intermolecular
forces during phase changes.
This experiment will help to develop important skills in graphing, analysing, and
understanding scientific principles.
Isbat Uddin
ID:11208069
, 2
Practical 1:
Aim: To assess the accuracy of a digital thermometer and a liquid thermometer by
measuring temperatures at known fixed points (ice melting and water boiling) and
comparing the results to literature values.
Calorimetry
Calorimetry is when a calorimeter is used in a scientific experiment to measure
changes of chemical reactions, state and phase in relation to the heat transferred or
absorbed.
Calibrations of the thermometers
In my experiment, two types of thermometers (liquid-in-glass and digital) were used
to assess their accuracy during calibration. This was important to ensure that the
temperature measurements recorded in later experiments were reliable and valid.
Equipment:
● Digital thermometer
● Liquid thermometer
● Beaker
● Ice
● Water
● Bunsen burner Fig.1 Ice inside the
beaker
● Tripod
● Heatproof mat Fig.3 Digital thermometer
● Wire gauze
● Stopwatch
Health & Safety:
Fig.2 Stopwatch
1. Safety goggles were worn at all times to protect the eyes from splashes.
2. Care was taken when handling hot water to prevent burns.
3. Glass thermometers were handled carefully to avoid breakage and injury.
4. Hot equipment was not touched directly and was allowed to cool before
handling.
5. The workspace was kept clear and dry to reduce the risk of slips or spills.
6. All equipment was used correctly and any hazards were reported to the
supervisor.
Isbat Uddin
ID:11208069
, 3
Method:
1. Fill a beaker with ice and 100 ml of tap water.
2. Leave for at least 30 seconds to allow the temperature to
drop.
3. Place the thermometers in the beaker and measure the
temperature.
4. Repeat steps 1 and 3 using liquid and digital
thermometers.
5. Repeat steps 1 to 4 with boiling water (Heated over a
bunsen burner)
Fig.4 Digital and liquid
thermometers in the
beaker of ice and tap water
Results:
Digital and Liquid Thermometers in both Ice and Boiling water:
Time in Ice Melting above 0 °C Water Boiling 100 °C
minutes
Liquid Digital Liquid Digital
Thermometer Thermometer Thermometer Thermometer
(°C) (°C) (°C) (°C)
1 0.1 0.9 95 94.5
2 0.2 0.1 87 86.6
3 0.2 0.1 81 80
4 0.2 0.2 77 76.1
5 0.2 0.2 72 72.2
6 0.2 0.2 68 68.7
7 0.2 0.2 65 65.5
8 0.3 0.2 62 62.1
9 0.3 0.2
10 0.3 0.2
11 0.3 0.2
12 0.4 0.2
Isbat Uddin
ID:11208069
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in
Applied Science
Unit 2B: Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques
Isbat Uddin
ID: 11208069
Learning Aim B: To undertake Calorimetry to study cooling curves
Title: Keeping up the standards
Scenario:
I am a newly appointed technical assistant at a large chemical plant, Chemicalequip.
As part of my induction period and to progress in my role, you must demonstrate
skills in a range of practical procedures and techniques. Part of my role is to ensure
equipment is calibrated and chemicals are safely checked.
I need to demonstrate your ability to use a calorimeter and associated equipment to
obtain data to determine, analyse and evaluate the rate of cooling of substances. I
will need to present evidence of your practical skills analysis and evaluation in a
report.
Introduction:
In this assignment, the cooling curves of stearic acid and paraffin wax will be used to
determine the way in which the temperature of a substance varies as it loses heat.
The cooling curves will be obtained by measuring the temperatures of the two
substances at equal intervals of time.
The results obtained from the experiment will be used to calculate gradients, which
will be used to compare the experimental results with the actual values to determine
the accuracy of the experiment. The differences in the cooling curves of the
substances will be explained using particle theory and the strength of intermolecular
forces during phase changes.
This experiment will help to develop important skills in graphing, analysing, and
understanding scientific principles.
Isbat Uddin
ID:11208069
, 2
Practical 1:
Aim: To assess the accuracy of a digital thermometer and a liquid thermometer by
measuring temperatures at known fixed points (ice melting and water boiling) and
comparing the results to literature values.
Calorimetry
Calorimetry is when a calorimeter is used in a scientific experiment to measure
changes of chemical reactions, state and phase in relation to the heat transferred or
absorbed.
Calibrations of the thermometers
In my experiment, two types of thermometers (liquid-in-glass and digital) were used
to assess their accuracy during calibration. This was important to ensure that the
temperature measurements recorded in later experiments were reliable and valid.
Equipment:
● Digital thermometer
● Liquid thermometer
● Beaker
● Ice
● Water
● Bunsen burner Fig.1 Ice inside the
beaker
● Tripod
● Heatproof mat Fig.3 Digital thermometer
● Wire gauze
● Stopwatch
Health & Safety:
Fig.2 Stopwatch
1. Safety goggles were worn at all times to protect the eyes from splashes.
2. Care was taken when handling hot water to prevent burns.
3. Glass thermometers were handled carefully to avoid breakage and injury.
4. Hot equipment was not touched directly and was allowed to cool before
handling.
5. The workspace was kept clear and dry to reduce the risk of slips or spills.
6. All equipment was used correctly and any hazards were reported to the
supervisor.
Isbat Uddin
ID:11208069
, 3
Method:
1. Fill a beaker with ice and 100 ml of tap water.
2. Leave for at least 30 seconds to allow the temperature to
drop.
3. Place the thermometers in the beaker and measure the
temperature.
4. Repeat steps 1 and 3 using liquid and digital
thermometers.
5. Repeat steps 1 to 4 with boiling water (Heated over a
bunsen burner)
Fig.4 Digital and liquid
thermometers in the
beaker of ice and tap water
Results:
Digital and Liquid Thermometers in both Ice and Boiling water:
Time in Ice Melting above 0 °C Water Boiling 100 °C
minutes
Liquid Digital Liquid Digital
Thermometer Thermometer Thermometer Thermometer
(°C) (°C) (°C) (°C)
1 0.1 0.9 95 94.5
2 0.2 0.1 87 86.6
3 0.2 0.1 81 80
4 0.2 0.2 77 76.1
5 0.2 0.2 72 72.2
6 0.2 0.2 68 68.7
7 0.2 0.2 65 65.5
8 0.3 0.2 62 62.1
9 0.3 0.2
10 0.3 0.2
11 0.3 0.2
12 0.4 0.2
Isbat Uddin
ID:11208069
