I did an experiment in lab where we were determining the heat of neutralization for some solutions and we had to wash the thermometer and dry it after we measured the temp of the NaOH soln and before we measured the temp of the HCl soln...I was just wondering why we were instructed to do that....what would have happened if we didn't?
just curious....thanks!!!
2006-11-01 12:49:53 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
NaOH in thermometer will have chemical reaction with HCL thus the HCl temperature measured won't be accurate as chemical changes will take place. This reaction involves a base (NaOH) and an acid (HCl), so it's a neutralization reaction, which is a special type of double-displacement reaction.♥
2006-11-01 12:57:14 · answer #1 · answered by ♥ lani s 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Introducing base into the acid cause a neutralization reaction which would affect what you were trying to measure.
Why didn't they just have you use two thermometers?
2006-11-01 12:57:29 · answer #2 · answered by Rockster 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you didn't wash the thermometer and put it in the second chemical some of the first chemical could have mixed with it and caused a reaction which could have changed the temperature.
2006-11-01 12:55:51 · answer #3 · answered by jaws65 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You might have carried over some NaOH that would react with the HCl solution. This might have affected the ehat of neutralization.
2006-11-01 12:53:37 · answer #4 · answered by munkmunk17 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably so you don't contaminate the HCl with the NaOH.
Also, if these were concentrated acid and base then there could be a violent reaction if you mix the two.
2006-11-01 12:53:20 · answer #5 · answered by jellybeanchick 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋