We did an experiment where we melted and acid and then left it cool and we measured the temperature it dropped fast but then it stayed on 55 degrees for over five minutes and then it dropped again, I understand that they are the correct results - but why?
thanks for answering
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2007-12-11 06:56:57 · 2 answers · asked by poshpanda:-) 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
The material was losing heat all the time. When it got down to 55 degrees, which is its freezing point, it was still losing heat energy in going from liquid to solid, but stayed at the same temperature. Rather like a mixture of ice and water, which stays at 0 C as long as both ice and water are present.
2007-12-11 07:02:00 · answer #1 · answered by Facts Matter 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
phase changes can occur more than just at melting and boiling. I do not know which acid you were using but, if there was a constant rate of heat loss, the best explanation is that a phase change occurred at 55 degrees and the latent heat of that phase change maintained the temperature until everything transformed to the new phase.
2007-12-11 07:03:10 · answer #2 · answered by Gary H 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋