My PBL Project

The Effect of Temperature on the Formation of Crystals (Sodium Acetate Trihydrate)

Introduction: How does temperature effect the crystal formation of sodium acetate in hand warmers? At what temperature do hand warmers generate heat the quickest and most effective? in this experiment, I will be using 3 hand warmers and 3 different temperature water baths to answer these questions.

Materials:

  • Hand warmers (3)

  • Infrared thermometer

  • Paper plates (4)

  • Metal tongs

  • Small towel

  • Scissors

  • Styrofoam cooler

  • Tea kettle

Materials not in picture:

  • Timer

  • Lab notebook and pencil for recording data

  • Water

Procedure:

  1. Fill the tea kettle and bring to a boil.

  2. Place enough water in the cooler to cover the hand warmer. Using room temperature water and water from the kettle, adjust the temperature of the water in the cooler to 20 degrees C.

  3. Place the hand warmer in the cooler for 5 minutes in order to give the hand warmer the chance to adjust its temperature to the water. Monitor the temperature of the water, and add room temperature/hot water to keep it at 20 degrees C.

  1. After the 5 minutes are over, using the tongs, carefully remove the hand warmer from the water onto the upside down paper plate. Vigorously shake the warmer for about 5 seconds, then place onto the plate an cut open with the scissors, as shown.

  1. First, record the initial temperature of the hand warmer using the infrared thermometer. Start your time, and record the temperature of the warmer every minute for 15 minutes. Observe as the crystals in the warmer grow, and record your observations.

  1. After the 15 minutes are over, you may stop recording the temperature, but continue to run the timer until all of the crystals have reacted and formed. This is not an exact measurement, and is merely based on your judgement as to the indicator that all of the crystals have formed.

  1. Repeat steps 1-6 for the water bath with 0 degrees C and 60 degrees C.

Scientific Principle:

Safety Regulations:

  • Handle the hand warmers and tea kettle carefully--contact with skin may lead to severe burns.

Copy of Chemistry Project...tigation Page ‎‎(Task 12)‎‎