Day 10 – Latent Heat of Fusion Lab
Curriculum Expectations
D2.9 conduct an inquiry to determine the specific heat capacity of a single substance
(e.g., aluminum, iron, brass) and of two substances when they are mixed together (e.g.,
the heat lost by a sample of hot water and the heat gained by a sample of cold water when
the two samples are mixed together)
Learning Goals
Students will perform an experiment about the latent heat of fusion which will allow
them to collect data about the temperatures of two substances when they are mixed
together.
Minds On
Read over the lab and discuss equipment, procedure etc.
Action
Perform the lab.
Consolidation
The lab will be written up.
Next Steps
The lab will be submitted for marking.
Name: ___________________
Latent Heat of Fusion
Problem: what is the latent heat of fusion of ice?
Materials:
2 identical insulated cups (Styrofoam)
retort stand, gauze, ring clamp
Bunsen burner
thermometer
250 mL beaker
beaker tongs
100 mL graduated cylinder
electronic balance
ice cube
Procedure:
1. Set up the retort stand and the Bunsen burner. Place the ring clamp and gauze on the
retort stand above the Bunsen burner so that a beaker of water can be heated.
2. Add 100 mL of water to the beaker and heat to approximately 75οC. Do not boil.
3. Find the mass of one of the insulated cups.
4. Dry one ice cube and add it to the cup. Measure and record the mass of the cup plus
the ice cube.
5. Using the beaker tongs, pour the hot water into the second empty cup. Measure and
record its temperature.
6. Carefully pour hot water into the cup containing the ice cube, taking care not water
splashes out of the cup.
7. Stir the mixture gently with the thermometer until all the ice has melted. At that point
quickly measure and record the mixture’s final temperature.
8. Find the new mass of the cup and its contents.
9. Under the heading “Calculations”, determine and record the following:
a) the mass of the ice cube
b) the mass of the hot water
c) the change in temperature of the hot water
d) the change in temperature of the melted ice water
e) the heat lost by the hot water
f) the heat gained by the melted ice water
g) the heat gained by ice when melting
h) the latent heat of fusion of ice
Questions
1. Compare your value for the latent heat of fusion of ice with the accepted value.
2. Why did you dry the ice cube in step 4?
3. List possible sources of human, equipment, and procedural error in this
investigation and suggest ways to reduce them.
You will submit for marking:
Calculations
a) 1
b) 1
c) 2
d) 2
e) 4
f) 4
g) 4
h) 4
Questions
1. 2
2. 2
3. 4
Total: /30