Temperature Changes - Required Practical 4
AQA-style Exam Question
A student investigates how the mass of solid anhydrous copper sulfate affects its temperature increase when it is dissolved in water.
Plan a valid method.
[6 marks]
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Measure 25 cm³ of water using a measuring cylinder and transfer it to an insulated polystyrene cup.
Record the initial temperature of the water using a thermometer.
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Measure a known mass of anhydrous copper sulfate using a balance.
Add the copper sulfate to the water in the insulated cup and stir thoroughly until it has dissolved.
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Record the maximum temperature reached by the solution using a thermometer.
Calculate the temperature increase using:
temperature increase = maximum temperature − initial temperature
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The mass of anhydrous copper sulfate is the independent variable.
Use a range of different masses, for example 1 g, 2 g, 3 g, 4 g and 5 g.
Repeat the experiment for each mass of copper sulfate and calculate a mean temperature increase.
Keep the volume of water, initial temperature of the water and the apparatus used the same for each experiment.
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