Unit 2B | Cooling Curves | RESUB Practical date: 26/1/24
Calorimetry to study Cooling Curve
Aims:
To undertake calorimetry to study cooling curves.
Introduction
Calorimetry is the process of measuring the amount of heat released or
absorbed during a chemical reaction. By knowing the change in heat, it can be
determined whether or not a reaction is exothermic (releases heat) or
endothermic (absorbs heat). Calorimetry also plays a large part of everyday
life, controlling the metabolic rates in humans and consequently maintaining
such functions like body temperature. 1 (LibreTexts, 2020)
Calorimeter = a container (copper or even a glass beaker) which is used with a
thermometer to measure the temperature of a substance.
Theory
When you bring together two substances at different temperatures, let's say a
solid and a liquid, heat moves from the warmer body to the cooler one until
they reach the same temperature. The warmer substance gives off heat, and
the cooler one absorbs it. Calorimetry, based on the principle of the
conservation of energy, tells us that the total heat lost by the warmer
substance is exactly equal to the total heat gained by the cooler one. I (Mandakranta
Bhattacharya, n.d.)
What is paraffin wax?
Paraffin wax is a type of wax that is produced from petroleum. It is a soft,
colourless solid that is also odourless and tasteless. II (Toppr Ask, n.d.) Paraffin wax
has many real-life applications across various industries.
1. Source of Intro - LibreTexts (2020). Calorimetry. [online] LibreTexts Chemistry. Available at:
https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Physical_and_Theoretical_Chemistry_Textbook_Maps/Su
pplemental_Modules_(Physical_and_Theoretical_Chemistry)/Thermodynamics/Calorimetry.
(Accessed 2/2/24)
,Unit 2B | Cooling Curves | RESUB Practical date: 26/1/24
Uses of Paraffin Wax:
▪ Candle making ▪ Food industry
▪ Cosmetics and Skincare products ▪ Industrial applications
▪ Pharmaceuticals
What is Stearic Acid?
Stearic acid is a saturated fatty acid with a chemical formula of C18H36O2. It is
a waxy acid that is often white or colourless and also has a greasy feel. III
(www.medicalnewstoday.com, 2022)
Uses of Stearic Acid:
▪ Cosmetics and Skincare
▪ Pharmaceuticals
▪ Food industries
Safety issues with the substances:
Stearic acid could be irritant to the skin and eyes so proper lab gear should be
worn to avoid contact. If contact is made then the affected area should be
washed with water and medical attention should be sought if the case is
serious.
What is a thermometer?
A thermometer is an instrument that is used to measure the temperature of
solids, liquids or gases.
, Unit 2B | Cooling Curves | RESUB Practical date: 26/1/24
Types of thermometers:
Type of thermometer Advantages Disadvantages
• Cheaper • Subjective reading
Liquid Glass • No power supple • Parallax errors
thermometer • Easier to calibrate • Less accurate
• Easy to read • Could under record
Digital thermometer • Higher resolution due to electronic
• Increased accuracy variation
(d.p) • Dead batteries
• Easy to read • Can under record
Digital Data Logger • Higher resolution due to electronic
• Can record data variation
over time • Expensive
• Can leave alone for • Loss of data
long periods • Hard to clean
Infrared thermometer
• Does not require • Can only measure
direct contact surface
• Easy to use temperatures
• Easy to disinfect • Affected by radio
• Measures and waves and other
displays quickly waves
Calorimetry to study Cooling Curve
Aims:
To undertake calorimetry to study cooling curves.
Introduction
Calorimetry is the process of measuring the amount of heat released or
absorbed during a chemical reaction. By knowing the change in heat, it can be
determined whether or not a reaction is exothermic (releases heat) or
endothermic (absorbs heat). Calorimetry also plays a large part of everyday
life, controlling the metabolic rates in humans and consequently maintaining
such functions like body temperature. 1 (LibreTexts, 2020)
Calorimeter = a container (copper or even a glass beaker) which is used with a
thermometer to measure the temperature of a substance.
Theory
When you bring together two substances at different temperatures, let's say a
solid and a liquid, heat moves from the warmer body to the cooler one until
they reach the same temperature. The warmer substance gives off heat, and
the cooler one absorbs it. Calorimetry, based on the principle of the
conservation of energy, tells us that the total heat lost by the warmer
substance is exactly equal to the total heat gained by the cooler one. I (Mandakranta
Bhattacharya, n.d.)
What is paraffin wax?
Paraffin wax is a type of wax that is produced from petroleum. It is a soft,
colourless solid that is also odourless and tasteless. II (Toppr Ask, n.d.) Paraffin wax
has many real-life applications across various industries.
1. Source of Intro - LibreTexts (2020). Calorimetry. [online] LibreTexts Chemistry. Available at:
https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Physical_and_Theoretical_Chemistry_Textbook_Maps/Su
pplemental_Modules_(Physical_and_Theoretical_Chemistry)/Thermodynamics/Calorimetry.
(Accessed 2/2/24)
,Unit 2B | Cooling Curves | RESUB Practical date: 26/1/24
Uses of Paraffin Wax:
▪ Candle making ▪ Food industry
▪ Cosmetics and Skincare products ▪ Industrial applications
▪ Pharmaceuticals
What is Stearic Acid?
Stearic acid is a saturated fatty acid with a chemical formula of C18H36O2. It is
a waxy acid that is often white or colourless and also has a greasy feel. III
(www.medicalnewstoday.com, 2022)
Uses of Stearic Acid:
▪ Cosmetics and Skincare
▪ Pharmaceuticals
▪ Food industries
Safety issues with the substances:
Stearic acid could be irritant to the skin and eyes so proper lab gear should be
worn to avoid contact. If contact is made then the affected area should be
washed with water and medical attention should be sought if the case is
serious.
What is a thermometer?
A thermometer is an instrument that is used to measure the temperature of
solids, liquids or gases.
, Unit 2B | Cooling Curves | RESUB Practical date: 26/1/24
Types of thermometers:
Type of thermometer Advantages Disadvantages
• Cheaper • Subjective reading
Liquid Glass • No power supple • Parallax errors
thermometer • Easier to calibrate • Less accurate
• Easy to read • Could under record
Digital thermometer • Higher resolution due to electronic
• Increased accuracy variation
(d.p) • Dead batteries
• Easy to read • Can under record
Digital Data Logger • Higher resolution due to electronic
• Can record data variation
over time • Expensive
• Can leave alone for • Loss of data
long periods • Hard to clean
Infrared thermometer
• Does not require • Can only measure
direct contact surface
• Easy to use temperatures
• Easy to disinfect • Affected by radio
• Measures and waves and other
displays quickly waves
