Group Number:

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Group Members:

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Title:
Making an insulator and calculating heat of solution
Objective:
This lab consists of 2 activities, first students need to make an insulator then they need to
calculate heat of solution and pour the solution into their insulator to test the efficiency of
the insulator.
Introduction:
In this activity, you are asked to design and carry out an experiment to investigate which
material is most efficient for the insulation of the heating system in the production of
soap. The four materials put to the test are: plastic, aluminium foils (AF), cotton and
paper. Some data which might be useful to analyse your result are also provided in Table
1.
Part 1: Building an Insulator:
Materials provided:

250 mL glass beaker: 4 units

250 mL plastic beaker: 1 unit
Thermometer: 4 units
Insulation materials: aluminium foil (AF), cotton, paper, plastic
Stop watch
Scissors
Masking tape
1

Table 1: Useful data

Materials

k
Thickness
Cost

Plastic

AF

Cotton

Paper

0.70
0.000
1
0.30

23.50

0.03

0.0002

0.0005

0.50

1.00

0.05
0.000
3
0.10

Glass
Beaker
0.90

Water

Unit

0.60

W/(m.C)

0.0020

RM/m2

Note:
The insulating capability of a material is indicated by its thermal conductivity (k) value.

Part 2: Calculating heat of solution:

To calculate the enthalpy (heat) of solution:
Step 1:
q = m x C x T
Amount
of
energy
released or absorbed is
calculated

q = amount of energy
released or absorbed
m = mass of solvent +
solute
(g)
C = specific heat capacity
(JoC-1g-1)
T
=
change
in
temperature (oC)

Step 2:
Calculate moles of solute

n = moles of solute
m = mass of solute (g)
M = molar mass of solute
(gmol-1)

n=mM

Step 3:
Hsoln = q n
Amount of energy (heat)
released or absorbed per
mole
of
solute
is
calculated.

Hsoln = molar enthalpy

(heat) of solution
q = amount of energy
(heat)
released
or
absorbed
n = moles of solute
H is negative if energy
2

(heat)
is
released
(exothermic).
H is positive if energy
(heat)
is
absorbed
(endothermic).
Procedure:
1. Pour 100ml of water into the calorimeter.
2. Weigh 10g of sodium hydroxide and pour the solute into the water.
3. Close the cap of the calorimeter and wait for 10 seconds, then take the temperature
reading as the initial temperature.
4. Continuously stir the solution while taking the temperature reading for every 15 seconds
until a maximum temperature is obtained.
5. After obtaining the maximum temperature, quickly move on to part 3 of the activity.

Part 3: Insulator Efficiency Test

Instructions
1.
2.
3.
4.

After completing Part 2, immediately pour your solution into your insulator.
Take the initial temperature reading and start the stopwatch.
Take the temperature reading in 30 seconds intervals for 10 minutes.
Calculate the efficiency of the insulator.

Data collection
Part 2
For taking initial temperature wait 10 seconds after adding the NaOH(Lye) to water, take
each temperature reading after 15 seconds. For calculation you will need the initial
temperature reading and the maximum temperature which your solution will reach. When
the temperature of your solution starts to drop down stop collecting temperature readings.
3

Volume of water:
Mass of Sodium Hydroxide:
Initial temperature:
Time (s)

Temperature (

C)

Final (Maximum) temperature:

Part 3
Initial temperature:
Time (s)

Temperature (

C)

Calculations:
Step 1:
Amount of energy released or absorbed is calculated.

Step 2:
Calculate moles of solute
6

Step 3:
Amount of energy (heat) released or absorbed per mole of solute is calculated.

Compare the calculated value obtained with the literature value by calculating the error
percentage of the experiment.
Literature value: Hosoln of NaOH = -44.51 kJ mol-1

Error % =

Literature value - Calculated value

100
Literature value

Is the calculated value obtained different from the literature value? If so, why?

Part 3
Calculate the efficiency of your insulator.

Efficiency %=

Final temperature
100
Initial temperature

Challenges:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

State any assumptions you made during your experiment.

Design the best insulation system for the process.
Based on your results, how does your designed system give the best insulation capability?
Explain your answer based on theoretical considerations and cost of material.
Is there any difference in the heat storage and heat transfer? State your reasons.

Calculations

10

11

12

Report

13