Carolina Investigations® for Use with AP® Chemistry: Investigating Heat Transfer and Enthalpy Using Calorimetry Kit

Determine the specific heat capacity of a calorimeter and the molar enthalpy of solution of 2 chloride salts. Teach this laboratory experience using either the guided or inquiry activity. In the guided activity, students determine the specific heat capacity of a calorimeter then use the calorimeter to determine the molar enthalpy of solution of calcium chloride and ammonium chloride. Students perform multiple trials and observe that different masses of salt generate different temperature changes while the molar enthalpy of solution remains constant. In the inquiry activity, students design either a hot pack or cold pack using the 2 chloride salts. The inquiry activity provides an opportunity for students to present their experiment design and results, reinforcing the practice of communicating findings. Detailed preparation and procedure notes guide the teacher through leading a successful inquiry exercise, including a suggested rubric for assessing student performance.

Both activities include assessment questions that follow the format of the AP® Chemistry Exam free-response questions. In the assessment, students use provided data to determine the molar enthalpy of neutralization. Students write and balance chemical equations, determine the limiting reactant, and determine whether the process is endo- or exothermic. Students also consider how changes in quantities of reactants affect the magnitude of the reaction's temperature change and its molar enthalpy of reaction.

Provides the following AP® Chemistry experiences: design a procedure to collect data, analyze data, graph data, perform error analysis, calculate percent error, write and balance chemical equations, identify limiting reactants in reactions, and perform multiple trials. The use of calcium chloride and ammonium chloride makes this procedure safer than traditional procedures that use nitrate salts. Materials are sufficient for 30 students in teams of 3. Digital teacher's manual, included FREE with kit purchase, is a 12-month eBook license to the Fundamentals of Calorimetry teacher's manual. You can also access the digital student guide for this kit for free at Carolina Science Online®.

AP® is a trademark registered and/or owned by the College Board®, which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse, these products.