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Enthalpy changes of NaOH

I want to react sodium hydroxide with another reactant and then measure the change in temperature.
Can i have any tips on the best reactant to use for a enthalpy change reaction with NaOH
thankyou

Reply 1

PoisonDonna

Is this similar to the one at AS Level, where you had the little polystyrene cup with an exothermic reaction inside, if I remember rightly that was magnesium sulphate?

Sodium hydroxide, hmmm, maybe with Hydrochloric acid. They react to give Sodium Chloride and water, and should give a not too huge increase in temperature, that you can measure.

Reply 2

Roko

ye the polystyrene cup and put it inside a measuring cylinder to help stabalise and insulate. Hcl is the obvious choice but i was hoping there might be something else

Reply 3

PoisonDonna

Well if you wanted something more exciting, you could try other acids, nitric acid or something. Just research the reaction and see what you find. You just have to remember to see if it is available in your school (I dunno what they have at A Level these days) and how much the change in temperature would be, because a smaller change (~10oC) is a lot easier to measure and gives more accurate readings.