We did a lab in school today on enthalpy and the heat of solutions. There was a question about why we shouldn't use the thermometer to stir the solution in the calorimeter (ours was just a makeshift one, a tiny styrofoam cup). So, why is it wrong to use a thermometer to stir the solution?
2007-12-18 07:06:33 · 4 answers · asked by Fanuilos 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
The amount of heat from the mechanical work of stirring is negligible, and the amount of heat generated by the reaction doesn't depend on whether you stir or not.
I think may be the most obvious explanation is the right one. It is very easy to break a thermometer if you use it as a stirring rod; I have done it myself.
2007-12-18 07:15:28 · answer #1 · answered by Facts Matter 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Remember that the mercury present in a thermometer is volatile. This is one of the toxic heavy metals. The mercury will become vapourised into toxic fumes if exposed to heat if it is not contained. Stirring with a thermometer increases the chances of breaking the thermometer.
2007-12-18 15:12:30 · answer #2 · answered by haile d 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
1- strirring increases collisions at atomic level which creates fiction and heat
2- if doing more than one trial, since you, the person, was stirring, you probably didnt stir with the same speed each trial.
3- if using a mercury thermometer, you run the risk of breaking it causing plenty of problems
2007-12-18 16:19:42 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
because stirring can give u faster reaction rate
the faster the reaction rate, the higher the temperature is
so u wont get the actual temperature
and also stirring can give u some kind of mechanical energy from hand
which will intern transfer into heat energy
that lab is so much fun by the way
:D
2007-12-18 15:11:33 · answer #4 · answered by Crazy CAT 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋