The Student Room Group

Relative strength of an unknown acid

Ok-here's the situation...

I am provided with a sample of unknown acid (12.56g) made up to 250cm3. The Mr of the sample if 50.

50cm3 of this acid solution is placed in a polystyrene cup, and 50cm3 of NaOH is added. The temperature rise is 3.6.

The specific heat capacity of water is 4.18

Heat given out in joules is q=mcdeltaT

Is the molar enthalpy change of neutralisaion -29.93kJmol-1?
remind me what is m again ?
Reply 2
Here are my calculations: someone plz check for errors:

moles acid = mass/Mr = 12.57/50 = 0.2514moldm-3

moles acid = molarity x volume/1000

0.2514 = molarity x 250/1000

molarity = 0.2514x1000/250

molarity = 1.0056

q = mcdeltaT
q = 100 x 4.18 x 3.6
q = 1504.8 J

kJ/mol = 1.5048kJ/(0.2514/5) = 29.93, but since it is exothermic, it must be -ve
Reply 3
m is mass of water (in this case it is 100g)
yeah your calculation seems right :smile: and ok to me just put it into my calc sorry about asking you what m was forgot cause i did it in AS last year this year all i can think about is equlibria in unit 4 chem !. but yeah your correct and yes negatvie because energy is given out so exothermic
Reply 5
Its not really the numbers I'm worried about- its the principles behind them i.e. the mole calculations
molar enthalpy of neautralisation is to produce 1 mole water not to neautralise 1 mole acid - i dunno if u have done this or not i cant be ****ed workin it out