Required Practical: Investigating Temperature Changes

• What is the objective of the required practical investigating temperature changes in AQA GCSE Chemistry?

  To perform a calorimetry study of the reaction between HCl and NaOH
• What does the hypothesis state in the temperature changes investigation?

  The temperature change will vary depending on the amounts of solutions involved
• What materials are needed for the calorimetry study?

  Dilute hydrochloric acid, dilute sodium hydroxide solution, and a calorimeter
• How do you begin the calorimetry investigation?

  Place 25 cm³ of the NaOH solution into the calorimeter
• What should you do after measuring the initial temperature of the NaOH solution?

  Add 5 cm³ of dilute HCl and stir
• What is the next step after adding HCl to the NaOH solution?

  Measure and record the highest temperature reached by the mixture
• How should you modify the experiment after the first trial?

  Repeat the steps increasing the amount of acid added by 5 cm³ each time
• What should you do with the results of the temperature changes investigation?

  Record your results in a suitable table
• What is the purpose of plotting a graph of the results?

  To determine what volume of acid causes the biggest change in temperature
• What conclusion can be drawn from the temperature changes investigation?

  The larger the difference in temperature, the more energy is absorbed or released