ABSTRACT FOR CALORIMETRY: This practical is on determining the rate of
cooling of paraffin wax and stearic acid by using calorimetry procedures.
Calorimetry is a practical technique that is used in determining the amount of
heat produced or absorbed during a chemical reaction. Before carrying out
the practical, the thermometer that was going to use during the practical was
first calibrated in ice and boiling water in order to ensure that all the readings
from the thermometer were accurate without any errors. In order to determine
the rate of cooling of the two acids, a cooling curve graph was plotted which
was then used to determine the rate of cooling of the acids when they were
in liquid state, melting point and solid state. The melting point gotten for
paraffin wax in the practical was 54o C which was within the range of the
literature value of the melting point of paraffin wax. The melting point gotten
for stearic acid from the practical was 69oC which was close to the literature
value of the melting point of stearic acid.
Introduction: Calorimetry can be defined as the technique used for
determining the amount of heat produced or absorbed during a chemical
reaction. The main purpose of calorimetry is for identifying and determining
concentrations of substances that absorb heat. The aim for this practical is to
investigate the rate of cooling of two different substances (stearic acid and
paraffin wax) by using a thermometer and other associated equipment to
obtain data to determine and evaluate the rate of cooling of the two acids.
Equipment’s used during the practical
● Beaker
● Glass rod
● Thermometer
● Stearic acid
● Hot water
● Paraffin wax
● Bunsen burner
● Stop clock
● Gauze
,Name Unit 2B
Risk Assessment
Investigation Title: Using calorimetry to determine the rate of cooling of two
different substances
Aim of investigation: Investigating the rate of cooling of paraffin wax and
stearic acid
Date of investigation: 11/01/2022
Hazard Risk Level of Likelihood Precaution
seriousness to occur
0=not
0=no
serious,
chance
5=very
serious 5=very
likely
Glass wares Breaking 4 4 If broken, avoid
touching with bare
hands, clean up
with a dustpan and
brush.
Stearic acid Causes eye 5 3 If there is eye
and skin contact,
irritation immediately flush
eyes with plenty of
water for at least 15
minutes,
occasionally lifting
the upper and
lower eyelids. Get
medical aid.
1 | Page
, Name Unit 2B
If there is contact
with the skin, get
medical aid. Flush
skin with plenty of
water for at least 15
minutes while
removing
contaminated
clothing and shoes.
Wash clothing
before reuse.
Bunsen Skin and 5 3 Tie any long hair
burner hair burn back to avoid it
catching fire.
Make sure your
clothing doesn’t
get in the way of
the flame and
don’t lean over a
flame to reach
other apparatus.
Keep your head
well away from the
Bunsen burner.
Wear eye
protection
(goggles)
Hot water Burns on the 3 2 Wear a lab coat
skin
Make sure the hot
2 | Page
cooling of paraffin wax and stearic acid by using calorimetry procedures.
Calorimetry is a practical technique that is used in determining the amount of
heat produced or absorbed during a chemical reaction. Before carrying out
the practical, the thermometer that was going to use during the practical was
first calibrated in ice and boiling water in order to ensure that all the readings
from the thermometer were accurate without any errors. In order to determine
the rate of cooling of the two acids, a cooling curve graph was plotted which
was then used to determine the rate of cooling of the acids when they were
in liquid state, melting point and solid state. The melting point gotten for
paraffin wax in the practical was 54o C which was within the range of the
literature value of the melting point of paraffin wax. The melting point gotten
for stearic acid from the practical was 69oC which was close to the literature
value of the melting point of stearic acid.
Introduction: Calorimetry can be defined as the technique used for
determining the amount of heat produced or absorbed during a chemical
reaction. The main purpose of calorimetry is for identifying and determining
concentrations of substances that absorb heat. The aim for this practical is to
investigate the rate of cooling of two different substances (stearic acid and
paraffin wax) by using a thermometer and other associated equipment to
obtain data to determine and evaluate the rate of cooling of the two acids.
Equipment’s used during the practical
● Beaker
● Glass rod
● Thermometer
● Stearic acid
● Hot water
● Paraffin wax
● Bunsen burner
● Stop clock
● Gauze
,Name Unit 2B
Risk Assessment
Investigation Title: Using calorimetry to determine the rate of cooling of two
different substances
Aim of investigation: Investigating the rate of cooling of paraffin wax and
stearic acid
Date of investigation: 11/01/2022
Hazard Risk Level of Likelihood Precaution
seriousness to occur
0=not
0=no
serious,
chance
5=very
serious 5=very
likely
Glass wares Breaking 4 4 If broken, avoid
touching with bare
hands, clean up
with a dustpan and
brush.
Stearic acid Causes eye 5 3 If there is eye
and skin contact,
irritation immediately flush
eyes with plenty of
water for at least 15
minutes,
occasionally lifting
the upper and
lower eyelids. Get
medical aid.
1 | Page
, Name Unit 2B
If there is contact
with the skin, get
medical aid. Flush
skin with plenty of
water for at least 15
minutes while
removing
contaminated
clothing and shoes.
Wash clothing
before reuse.
Bunsen Skin and 5 3 Tie any long hair
burner hair burn back to avoid it
catching fire.
Make sure your
clothing doesn’t
get in the way of
the flame and
don’t lean over a
flame to reach
other apparatus.
Keep your head
well away from the
Bunsen burner.
Wear eye
protection
(goggles)
Hot water Burns on the 3 2 Wear a lab coat
skin
Make sure the hot
2 | Page
