Chemistry 5070 · O Level · Experimental design

Experimental design — practice question

When sulfuric acid, $\text{H}_2\text{SO}_4$, is mixed with aqueous sodium hydroxide, $\text{NaOH}$, it is neutralised. $$\text{H}_2\text{SO}_4 + 2\text{NaOH} \rightarrow \text{Na}_2\text{SO}_4 + 2\text{H}_2\text{O}$$ This reaction gives out heat. P is $1.25\,\text{mol dm}^{-3}$ aqueous sodium hydroxide. Q is dilute sulfuric acid. A student is finding the concentration of sulfuric acid in Q. The student carries out six experiments. The student: Step 1 uses a volumetric pipette to place $25.0\,\text{cm}^3$ of P into a plastic cup. Step 2 uses a measuring cylinder to add $20\,\text{cm}^3$ of distilled water to the plastic cup. Step 3 stirs the contents of the cup with a thermometer and notes the temperature to the nearest $0.5\,^{\circ}\text{C}$. Step 4 uses a burette to add $5.0\,\text{cm}^3$ of Q to the plastic cup and stirs. Step 5 records the greatest temperature reached. Step 6 empties the plastic cup and washes it with water. Step 7 repeats steps 1-6 using five different volumes of distilled water and Q so that the total volume in the cup is always $50\,\text{cm}^3$. The student’s results are shown in Table 2.1.
(a)[3]

Fill in the three omitted entries in Table 2.1.

(b)[1]

The parts of the thermometer used in Experiment 3 are shown in Fig. 2.1. The liquid levels inside the thermometer are not shown. Finish Fig. 2.1 by drawing the liquid level to represent the starting temperature in Experiment 3 and the highest temperature reached in Experiment 3.

(c)[3]

On the grid in Fig. 2.2, draw a graph of temperature rise against volume of Q. Plot $(0,0)$ because there is no temperature rise when no Q is added, plot the temperature rises and volumes of Q from Table 2.1, draw a straight line of best fit for the first four points, draw a straight line of best fit for the last three points, and extend the lines until they meet.

(d)[1]

The place where the two lines cross shows the volume of Q that exactly neutralises $25.0\,\text{cm}^3$ of P. Determine the volume of Q at the crossing point of the two lines on the graph.

(e)[2]

P is $1.25\,\text{mol dm}^{-3}$ aqueous sodium hydroxide. Use your answer to (d) to find the concentration of sulfuric acid in Q. $$2\text{NaOH} + \text{H}_2\text{SO}_4 \rightarrow \text{Na}_2\text{SO}_4 + 2\text{H}_2\text{O}$$

(f)[2]

Describe and explain how the gradient of the straight line for the first four points on the graph would change if a metal cup were used instead of a plastic cup.

(g)[1]

A burette may be used instead of a measuring cylinder to measure the volume of water in these experiments. Suggest how this improves the experiments.

(h)[1]

State the dependent variable in this set of experiments.

Worked solution & mark scheme

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