Lab #: 11
Title: Heat and Kinetic Theory
Aim: To find the melting point of ice
Theory:
Heat is the energy transferred between objects due to temperature differences,
while latent heat is the energy required to change a substance's state without
altering its temperature. The specific latent heat of fusion refers to the heat
needed to melt 1 kg of a solid (such as ice) into a liquid at constant temperature.
The formula for the specific latent heat of fusion of ice is Q = mLf, where Q is
the heat energy, m is the mass, and Lf is the specific latent heat of fusion.
Apparatus/Materials:
250 ml beaker, crushed ice, thermometer, Bunsen burner (hot plate), and stopwatch
Diagram:
Figure 1: Apparatus setup for observing the temperature of melting ice
Method:
The apparatus was set up as shown.
The hot plate was set on a low heat.
The stopwatch was started, and the temperature was recorded every minute until all the ice melted,
while the ice-water mixture was stirred slowly.
Results:
Time/seconds Temperature/℃
Table 1: Showing the readings of time and temperature as the ice melts.
Figure 2: Temperature against time graph for melting ice
Discussion:
In this experiment, crushed ice is preferred over a solid block because it has a greater
surface area, allowing it to melt faster and more evenly, which makes heat transfer more
efficient and accurate. As the ice begins to melt, the temperature of the ice-water
mixture stays constant at 0°C until all the ice has turned into liquid water. This is
because the energy being added is used to break the bonds between the ice molecules
rather than raising the temperature. Recording the temperature at regular intervals helps
to monitor any changes precisely and determine when the ice has fully melted. The
temperature remains unchanged while the ice melts because the heat being absorbed is
used as latent heat, which is required for the phase change from solid to liquid. During
this process, the heat increases the potential energy of the molecules by weakening the
forces holding them together, but it does not affect their kinetic energy, so the
temperature does not rise. Latent heat is essential because it provides the energy needed
to break down the molecular structure of ice and convert it into water. Knowing the
latent heat of fusion is important in practical applications like refrigeration, food storage,
and engineering, where controlling phase changes is crucial for managing heat
effectively.
Precautions:
> Ensure the thermometer is correctly placed in the center of the ice-water mixture to get
accurate temperature readings.
> Stir the ice-water mixture gently to maintain uniform temperature distribution without
causing splashing or affecting the melting rate.
Source of error:
Uneven stirring of the mixture could lead to inconsistent temperature throughout the ice-water solution,
affecting measurements.
Heat loss to the surrounding environment might affect the actual heat transfer to the ice, causing errors
in determining the melting point
Reflection:
This experiment helped me understand the relationship between heat energy and phase changes,
particularly the role of latent heat during the melting process. By conducting this experiment, I
gained hands-on experience with how energy is absorbed without a temperature change during
the transition from solid to liquid. I also learned the importance of taking careful measurements
and precautions to minimize errors, as even small mistakes can affect the accuracy of the results.
The knowledge of latent heat of fusion has real-world applications, such as in designing
efficient refrigeration systems and understanding natural processes like ice melting in the
environment. This lab reinforced the theoretical concepts of kinetic theory by showing how
molecular behavior changes during phase transitions.
Conclusion:
Within the limits of experimental error the melting point of ice was found to be
