Purpose: The purpose of this experiment is to learn the steps of the scientific method and to learn how to make and test a hypothesis.

Hypothesis: When chloride salts are dissolved in water the temperature will (increase or decrease) because dissolving salt is an (exothermic or endothermic) reaction.

Variables:

IV: The amount of chloride salt added 

DV:  The temperature of the water

Control: The temperature of the water without the salt added

Materials: beakers, water, calcium chloride salts, stirring rod, thermometer, balance, sample cup, wash bottle, graduated cylinder, measuring spoon, magnet.

Safety: Be careful using chloride salts, they can cause skin irritation if it gets on you.   

Summary of Procedure:  In this experiment, ¼ tsp of an unknown salt will be added to 50.0 ml of water in a beaker, the temperature of the water and the salt will be measured and recorded.  Increments of ¼ tsp of unknown salt will be added and dissolved in the water, the temperature of the solution will be recorded after every addition of salt.