Individual Presentation or Panel Title
Improving the Accuracy of the Results from a Calorimetry Experiment
Abstract
In an experiment in our chemistry 102 lab class, we determined the enthalpy of combustion of 1-decanol. The average percent error of the results obtained by the class was well over 60 percent. We understood that the percent error was so high because the apparatus we used did not have any insulation that would have prevented the loss of heat. I wanted to know if there was a better way to do this experiment, and if so, then how it could be done to greatly reduce the percent error. On my own time I redesigned the apparatus and returned to the lab to test my ideas. I carried out more than 40 trials using over 20 different apparatus designs. My designs led to percent errors that ranged from 69 percent on the high end to 28 percent on the low end.
Location
Moody Lobby
Start Date
30-4-2016 3:30 PM
End Date
30-4-2016 4:20 PM
Keywords
calorimetry, combustion, accuracy
Improving the Accuracy of the Results from a Calorimetry Experiment
Moody Lobby
In an experiment in our chemistry 102 lab class, we determined the enthalpy of combustion of 1-decanol. The average percent error of the results obtained by the class was well over 60 percent. We understood that the percent error was so high because the apparatus we used did not have any insulation that would have prevented the loss of heat. I wanted to know if there was a better way to do this experiment, and if so, then how it could be done to greatly reduce the percent error. On my own time I redesigned the apparatus and returned to the lab to test my ideas. I carried out more than 40 trials using over 20 different apparatus designs. My designs led to percent errors that ranged from 69 percent on the high end to 28 percent on the low end.