to determine the enthalpy change for the conversion of anhydrous copper (II) sulfate into hydrated copper (II) sulfate.
to calculate the enthalpy change for CuSO4(s) + 5H2O —> CuSO4.5H2O(s) we can:
Dissolve anhydrous CuSO4 in excess water
Dissolve hydrated CuSO4 in excess water
ΔH3 = ΔH1 - ΔH2
what is calorimetry used for ?
We use calorimetry to measure a change in temperature, so that we can calculate a change in heat energy.
In this practical, we’ll use calorimetry to measure how the temperature changes when we dissolveanhydrouscopper sulfate in water, and when we dissolvehydratedcopper sulfate in water.
Practical considerations
Wight CuSO4 salts in stoppered weighing bottles - if we use a weighing boat + the salts are exposed to air they may absorb water from the atmosphere (reaction has already started) which would reduce the accuracy of measurements
wear gloves to prevent contact with skin (anhydrous copper sulfate - irritant)
carry out experiment in polystyrene cup - thermal insulator
dissolve hydrated CuSO4 in less water than anhydrous CuSO4 ( as is already has H2O in its lattice)
stir the contents
How do you calculate the temperature change after plotting temperature against time
