A student planned and carried out an experiment to determine the enthalpy of reaction when magnesium metal displaces zinc from aqueous zinc sulfate.
Mg(s) + Zn2+(aq) ⟶ Mg2+(aq) + Zn(s) The student used this method:
• A measuring cylinder was used to transfer 50 cm3 of a 1.00 mol dm−3 aqueous solution of zinc sulfate into a glass beaker.
• A thermometer was placed in the beaker.
• 2.08 g of magnesium metal powder were added to the beaker.
• The mixture was stirred and the maximum temperature recorded.
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Suggest how the students’ method, and the analysis of the results, could be improved in order to determine a more accurate value for the enthalpy of reaction.
Justify your suggestions.
Do not refer to the precision of the measuring equipment. Do not change the amounts or the concentration of the chemicals. \[6\]