A chemistry problem

Question

A chemist observes the reaction between hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide at 25°C.  

HCl (aq) + NaOH (aq) → NaCl (aq) + H2O (l) ΔH = -55.2 kJ

(a) In regards to heat, what type of reaction is occurring? Explain how you know.

(b) What physical evidence would the chemist be able to measure or observe to support this conclusion?

Answer 1

(a) The reaction is an exothermic reaction. You know this because the value of ∆H is negative.

(b) The chemist should be able to measure an increase in the temperature of the solution as the reaction progresses. He might even be able to feel the vessel containing the reaction getting warmer.