Temperature reading.

Question

You will be performing your experiment in a coffee-cup calorimeter and measure temperature changes upon reaction in the calorimeter. Given that ΔHneut = -56 kJ/mol, for a neutralization reaction of a strong acid with a strong base, what would happen to the temperature reading when the acid and base are mixed for the neutralization reaction in the calorimeter?

a

There should not be a change in temperature since it is a neutralization reaction. 

b

Temperature would decrease

c

Cannot predict without additional information



d

Temperature would increase

Answer 1

As the ΔHneut is negative, this means that the reaction is exothermic, giving off heat. If the reaction gives off heat, it would increase the temperature of the reaction solution.