Bishop’s High School
6th Form Chemistry
Unit 1 Module 1 Fundamentals in Chemistry
Name: Jaydon Solomon Date: 08/04/2024
Title: Enthalpy Changes
Aim:
To determine the enthalpy change for the reaction:
I. MgSO4 (s) + 7H2O(l) → MgSO4.7H2O(s)
Measuring this energy change directly is impossible because the process cannot be controlled.
However, the enthalpy changes can be calculated by measuring the enthalpy changes for the
following reactions:
II. MgSO4 (s) + aq → MgSO4 (aq)
III. MgSO4.7H2O(s) + aq → MgSO4 (aq)
Apparatus:
● Weighing cup
● Balance
● Styrofoam cups
● Beakers
● Measuring cylinder
● Thermometer
● Stirring rod
Materials:
● Anhydrous magnesium sulphate
● Hydrated magnesium sulphate
● Distilled water
Method:
1. Between 3.00 and 3.10g of anhydrous magnesium sulphate was weighed in the weighing
cup provided.
2. 45.00 cm3 of water was placed in the styrofoam cup using the measuring cylinder and the
temperature was recorded to the nearest 0.20oC.
3. The solid was transferred to the cup while stirring and the maximum or minimum
temperature was recorded.
4. The results were displayed in a suitable table.
5. The experiment was repeated with hydrated magnesium sulphate using between 6.10 and
6.20g of the solid and 42.00 cm3 of water.
6. Results were recorded in a suitable table.
Results:
Table showing the results from the experiment with anhydrous magnesium sulphate.
Mass of Anhydrous Initial Water Final Solution Temperature Change
MgSO4 (g) Temperature (°C) Temperature (°C) (°C)
3.10 25.80 35.00 9.20
Table showing the results from experiment with hydrated magnesium sulphate.
Mass of Anhydrous Initial Water Final Solution Temperature Change
MgSO4.7H2O (g) Temperature (°C) Temperature (°C) (°C)
6.20 25.00 28.00 3.00
Discussion:
To calculate the enthalpy change of solution for anhydrous and hydrated magnesium sulphate,
and then determine the enthalpy change for the hydration reaction, consider the results obtained
during the experiment and the following chemical equations:
I. MgSO₄ (s) + 7H₂O(l) ⇌ MgSO₄·7H₂O(s)
II. MgSO₄ (s) + aq→ MgSO₄ (aq)
III. MgSO₄·7H₂O(s) + aq→ MgSO₄·7H₂O(aq)
1. Enthalpy change of solution for 1 mole of anhydrous magnesium sulphate (equation II):
Assume the specific heat capacity of the solution is approximately equal to that of water
(4.18 Jg-1°C-1)
Mass of water = 45.00 g (assuming the same volume as before)
Temperature change = +9.20°C
Enthalpy change = mass of water × specific heat capacity × temperature change
Enthalpy change = 45.00 g × 4.18 Jg-1°C-1 × 9.20°C = 1730.52 J
Molar mass of MgSO₄ = 120.37 gmol-1
Enthalpy change per mole = 1730.52 J / (3.10 g / 120.37 gmol-1) = 67.2 kJmol-1
2. Enthalpy change of solution for 1 mole of hydrated magnesium sulphate (equation III):
Assume the specific heat capacity of the solution is approximately equal to that of water
(4.18 Jg-1°C-1)
Mass of water = 42.00 g (assuming the same volume as before)
Temperature change = +3.0°C
Enthalpy change = mass of water × specific heat capacity × temperature change
Enthalpy change = 42.00 g × 4.18 Jg-1°C-1 × 3.0°C = 526.68 J
Molar mass of MgSO₄·7H₂O = 246.50 gmol-1
Enthalpy change per mole = 526.68 J / (6.20 g / 246.50 gmol-1) = 21.0 kJmol-1
3. Determining the enthalpy change of equation I using the experimental enthalpy change
values from (1) and (2):
From equation I: MgSO₄ (s) + 7H₂O(l) → MgSO₄·7H₂O(s)
Enthalpy change of equation I = Enthalpy change of equation III - Enthalpy change of
equation II
Enthalpy change of equation I = 21.0 kJmol-1 - 67.2 kJmol-1 = -46.2 kJmol-1
4. Energy level diagram:
Assumptions:
1. 1 cm3 of water weighs 1 g.
2. Aqueous solutions are treated as if they are water.
3. The solution has the same specific heat capacity as water.
4. The heat capacity of the styrofoam cup and other factors are negligible.
5. When a solid is added to a solution, the mass of the solid is ignored.
Conclusion:
The enthalpy change for the reaction; MgSO4 (s) + 7H2O(l) → MgSO4.7H2O(s), is -46.2 kJmol-1.
