So, we just finished an AP chem lab where the question was basically:

Given the results of the lab were that $\pu{5 grams}$ of $\ce{CaCl2}$ and $\pu{45ml}$ of water produced a $\pu{13.33 ^\circ C}$ change, find the new temperature change of $\pu{10 grams}$ of $\ce{CaCl2}$ in $\pu{40ml}$ of water.

Our teacher used a ratio strategy where basically $$\frac{\pu{5 grams}}{\pu{10 grams}}=\frac{\pu{13.33 ^\circ C}}{x}$$ Then, since x turns out to be $\pu{26.66 ^\circ C}$; $$\frac{\pu{26.66 ^\circ C}}{45ml}=\frac{x}{50ml}$$ solving for $x$, the final temperature change is $\pu{29.6 ^\circ C}$.

My question is basically whether this is true, because I find the denominator in the first fraction of the second ratio sketchy - its saying $\pu{10 grams}$ for 35 ml of water, but, the $\pu{26.66 ^\circ C}$ is derived from finding $\pu{10 grams}$ with same amount of water. Thus, shouldn't it be 50, since in the first ratio we only changed amount of grams of solution, so water is still 40 ml, and now $\ce{CaCl2}$ is $\pu{10 grams}$. $\pu{40ml + 10 grams = 50 grams}$. Thus, shouldn't the first fraction be $$\frac{\pu{26.66 ^\circ C}}{50ml}$$ The final answer happens to be $\pu{26.66 ^\circ C}$ (which is pretty and convenient), but I think that's just because we chose 5 grams to 10 grams which is a nice number to double and the volume decreases by 5, so everything cancels out nicely.

Kinda of a big segway and separate question but related: What's wrong with the following logic to solve the problem?

$$\pu{50 g}\times \pu{4.184 J g-1 ^\circ C-1} \times \pu{13.33 ^\circ C}=\pu{2789 J}$$

Basically, using q=mcat (m is mass of water, 45, plus mass of solution, 5) to find q of 5 grams $\ce{CaCl2}$ and 45 ml water, and then, assuming if we double the mass we double the q, work backwards? (If my logic is wrong, I think it occurs in this assumption)

thus, since we need 10 grams and 40 ml in the end, the mass is still 50 grams, but the 2789 is multiplied by 2 (since mass is doubled) and 13.33C becomes an X.

$$\pu{50 g} \times \pu{4.184 J g-1 C-1} \times x = \pu{5578 J}\\ x = \pu{26.66 ^\circ C}$$

Basically, I think the answer is $\pu{26.66 ^\circ C}$ and my teacher thinks it's $\pu{29.66 ^\circ C}$.

I'm honestly very confused about q... Google does not seem to help answer this question, if amount of water in a solution/reaction (ie water and $\ce{CaCl2}$) changes, but mass of reactant stays the same, does q change?

  • $\begingroup$ Welcome to Chemistry.SE! Please note that formulas can be better expressed with \$\ce{ }\$ for chemical formulas/equations, \$ \$ for math term/equations, and \$\pu{ }\$ for units. More information is available in this meta post Also, take a minute to look over the help center and tour page to better understand our guidelines and question policies. $\endgroup$ – A.K. Oct 18 '18 at 3:38

The ratio strategy will definitely work, but I think going back to $q=m\cdot C\cdot \Delta T$ is easier to understand.

You've already figured out a bunch of these constants: $m = 50$, $C = 4.184$ (we assume that the heat capacity of the water doesn't change too much when adding the solid), and $\Delta T = 13.33$.

$$\begin{align} q & =m\cdot C\cdot \Delta T \\ & = 50\cdot4.184\cdot13.33 \\ & = \ce{2789 J} \end{align}$$

The heat produced by mixing $\ce{5 g}$ of $\ce{CaCl_2}$ is $\ce{2789 J}$, therefore,
the heat of reaction ($\ce{\Delta H_{rxn}}$) in $\ce{J/g}$ is $\ce{557.7 J/g}$.

When we mix $\ce{10 g}$ of $\ce{CaCl_2}$, the total heat produced will be $\ce{10 g \cdot 557.7 J/g = 5577 J}$.

Now we need to determine the heat change had we mixed in $\ce{10 g}$ of $\ce{CaCl_2}$. We can rearrange the specific heat formula to get $\ce{\Delta T = \frac{q}{m\cdot C}}$. We know $q = 5577$, $m=50$, and $C=4.184$.

$$\begin{align} \Delta T &= \frac{q}{m\cdot C} \\ & \\ &=\frac{5577}{50\cdot4.184} \\ & \\ &= 26.66\, ^\circ \ce{C} \end{align}$$

The reason the ratio works is the same logic as the gas laws:

$P_1\ V_1 = C$, $P_2\ V_2 = C$, therefore $P_1\ V_1 = P_2\ V_2$.

$q_1 / T_1 = m\cdot C$ and $q_2 / T_2 = m\cdot C$.

Therefore, $q_1 / T_1 = q_2 / T_2$ by the transitive property of equality

  • $\begingroup$ Thanks for the more mathy way to justify my ideas! Just to clarify, you agree with my proposed change to the ratio and not my teacher's original ratio? $\endgroup$ – catdog Oct 18 '18 at 11:52
  • $\begingroup$ What makes you think that the heat capacity of a 20% CaCL2 solution is the same as that of water? $\endgroup$ – Chet Miller Oct 18 '18 at 19:10
  • $\begingroup$ Specific heats of calcium chloride solutions as function of temperature and composition. oxy.com/OurBusinesses/Chemicals/Products/Documents/… $\endgroup$ – Chet Miller Oct 18 '18 at 19:16
  • $\begingroup$ @ChesterMiller The heat capacity is certainly not the same, I agree, but for a high school AP Chem class, the heat capacity difference is somewhat advanced. $\endgroup$ – Christopher Marley Oct 18 '18 at 22:18
  • $\begingroup$ @catdog If you want to use the teacher's ratio, it'll have to be between 45 mL and 40 mL, but I insist on it being incorrect because the total mass of the solution is changing temperature, therefore the ratio will be between 50 mL and 50 mL (which changes nothing). $\endgroup$ – Christopher Marley Oct 18 '18 at 22:22

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