Edexcel IGCSE Chemistry 3.2 Temperature Change Practical

Practise planning and evaluating simple calorimetry for neutralisation, displacement, dissolving and combustion reactions.

Exam points

justify using a polystyrene cup and lid because better insulation reduces heat transfer to the surroundings
plot both best-fit lines and use their intersection to find the neutralising volume and maximum temperature
select controls such as solution volume and concentration, then explain anomalous temperature readings

[Maximum number: 2]

A student investigates the reaction between zinc and copper(II) sulfate solution.
This is the equation for the reaction.

\mathrm{Zn}(\mathrm{~s})+\mathrm{CuSO}_{4}(\mathrm{aq}) \rightarrow \mathrm{ZnSO}_{4}(\mathrm{aq})+\mathrm{Cu}(\mathrm{~s})

This is the student's method.
Step 1 add $25.0 \mathrm{~cm}^{3}$ of copper(II) sulfate solution to a glass beaker
Step 2 record the temperature of the solution
Step 3 add between 5 g and 6 g of zinc powder (an excess) and stir the mixture
Step 4 record the highest temperature reached

Explain an improvement to step 1 to produce a more accurate temperature rise.

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3.2 Temperature change practical question 1