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10: Enthalpy of Neutralization

  • Page ID
    514172
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    PURPOSE
    • To use coffee-cup calorimetry to determine the enthalpy of neutralization of two acids, hydrochloric acid and acetic acid, with sodium hydroxide.

    INTRODUCTION

    The enthalpy of neutralization (\(\Delta H_{\text{neut}}\)) is the heat released or absorbed when an aqueous acid and base react to form one mole of water. In this experiment, the enthalpy of neutralization for two distinct acid-base reactions will be measured using a coffee-cup calorimeter, a constant-pressure device designed to insulate aqueous chemical reactions from ambient thermal loss.

    The first system involves a strong acid (\(\mathrm{HCl}\)) and a strong base (\(\mathrm{NaOH}\)), both of which ionize completely in aqueous solution. The second system involves a weak acid (\(\mathrm{CH_3CO_2H}\)) and a strong base (\(\mathrm{NaOH}\)). Because weak acids exist primarily as unionized molecules in solution, a portion of the neutralization energy is consumed in breaking the covalent \(\mathrm{O-H}\) bond to release protons. By measuring precise temperature changes during these reactions, the net heat released (\(q_{\text{rxn}}\)) can be calculated and normalized per mole of water produced.

    Additionally, the heat capacity of the calorimeter apparatus (\(C_{\text{calorimeter}}\)) will be determined by mixing warm and cold water. Accounting for thermal energy absorbed by the polystyrene container and temperature probe ensures greater quantitative accuracy when evaluating the fundamental differences between strong and weak acid thermodynamics.

    • 10.1: Enthalpy of Neutralization - Experiment
      This page provides essential safety guidelines for handling corrosive chemicals such as sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid, highlighting the importance of ventilation and quick rinsing during spills. It details the materials and procedures needed for using a coffee-cup calorimeter to measure heat capacity and determine the enthalpy of neutralization for reactions involving \(\ce{NaOH}\), \(\ce{HCl}\), and acetic acid. Additionally, it addresses proper chemical waste disposal methods.
    • 10.2: Enthalpy of Neutralization - Pre-lab
      This page covers the First Law of Thermodynamics, highlighting the principle of zero heat exchange between a system and its surroundings. It includes a practical example of enthalpy of neutralization using NaOH and HCl, encouraging students to identify the limiting reactant and calculate enthalpy change. Furthermore, it outlines three methods for determining enthalpy changes—calorimetry, Hess's Law, and standard enthalpies of formation—focusing on the calculation using thermochemical data.
    • 10.3: Enthalpy of Neutralization - Data and Report
      This page describes a calorimetry experiment in three parts: Part A measures the heat capacity of a calorimeter; Part B analyzes the enthalpy of neutralization for hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide; and Part C examines the neutralization of acetic acid with sodium hydroxide. The page includes temperature change data, calculations of heat transfer, and concludes with post-lab questions on specific heat capacity and enthalpy comparisons.


    This page titled 10: Enthalpy of Neutralization was last modified on Thu, 03 Sep 2026 17:13:04 GMT and is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Vincent Hradil and Saadia Khan.