Unit Number and Title Unit 2, Practical Scientific
Procedures and Techniques
Learning Aim Aim B, Undertaking calorimetry to
study cooling curves
Student Name Maimunah Ramouche
Assessor Mandeep Mangat
Introduction
This report will include the method and results for calibration of thermometers.
The method, data collection, construction of cooling curves for stearic acid and
paraffin wax and results will be also included, the accuracy of results will then be
analysed, evaluated and compared to published results and peers.
Aim
To construct cooling curves and accurately study the rate of cooling of paraffin
wax and stearic acid using calibrated equipment.
Calibration of thermometers
Equipment
- Crushed ice
- Hot plate
- Thermometers
- Beaker
Methods:
Using ice
- Filled glass beaker with crushed ice and a little bit of water, let sit for five
minutes
- Inserted thermometer into centre of beaker
- Let sit for a minute, then recorded the reading
- Repeated procedure
Using boiling water
- Filled a beaker with water
- Heated water on hot plate till boiling
- Placed thermometer in the centre for 30s then recorded reading
, - Performed repeats
Results
Thermometer Digital Alcohol
Crushed ice 1 0.3 0.5
2 0.4 0.0
3 0.4 -0.1
4 0.4 0.0
Mean 0.4 0.1
Mean error 0.4 0.1
Boiling water 1 100 98
2 100 97
3 100 98
4 100 98
Mean 100 98
Mean error 0.0 -0.02
The error of the digital thermometer is within the tolerance and is suitable for
experimental use. As the digital thermometer produces more accurate readings
it will be used in the experiment.
Equipment
- Hot plate
- Digital thermometer
- Timer
- Beakers (250 cm3)
- Boiling tube
- Clamp, stand and boss
- paraffin wax
- stearic acid
- Spatulas
Risk assessment
Hazard Risk Precautions
Hot plate Burns, fire risk Handle with care and
turn off when not in use
Melted paraffin wax Burns Handle with care
Melted stearic acid Irritant Gloves, goggles
Glassware Breakages, cuts Handle with care
Procedures and Techniques
Learning Aim Aim B, Undertaking calorimetry to
study cooling curves
Student Name Maimunah Ramouche
Assessor Mandeep Mangat
Introduction
This report will include the method and results for calibration of thermometers.
The method, data collection, construction of cooling curves for stearic acid and
paraffin wax and results will be also included, the accuracy of results will then be
analysed, evaluated and compared to published results and peers.
Aim
To construct cooling curves and accurately study the rate of cooling of paraffin
wax and stearic acid using calibrated equipment.
Calibration of thermometers
Equipment
- Crushed ice
- Hot plate
- Thermometers
- Beaker
Methods:
Using ice
- Filled glass beaker with crushed ice and a little bit of water, let sit for five
minutes
- Inserted thermometer into centre of beaker
- Let sit for a minute, then recorded the reading
- Repeated procedure
Using boiling water
- Filled a beaker with water
- Heated water on hot plate till boiling
- Placed thermometer in the centre for 30s then recorded reading
, - Performed repeats
Results
Thermometer Digital Alcohol
Crushed ice 1 0.3 0.5
2 0.4 0.0
3 0.4 -0.1
4 0.4 0.0
Mean 0.4 0.1
Mean error 0.4 0.1
Boiling water 1 100 98
2 100 97
3 100 98
4 100 98
Mean 100 98
Mean error 0.0 -0.02
The error of the digital thermometer is within the tolerance and is suitable for
experimental use. As the digital thermometer produces more accurate readings
it will be used in the experiment.
Equipment
- Hot plate
- Digital thermometer
- Timer
- Beakers (250 cm3)
- Boiling tube
- Clamp, stand and boss
- paraffin wax
- stearic acid
- Spatulas
Risk assessment
Hazard Risk Precautions
Hot plate Burns, fire risk Handle with care and
turn off when not in use
Melted paraffin wax Burns Handle with care
Melted stearic acid Irritant Gloves, goggles
Glassware Breakages, cuts Handle with care
