Alum Essays - Thermodynamics, Measuring Instruments, Heat Transfer

: The error described by the calculation can be accounted for by errors in temperature measurement. The distance of the thermometer to the reaction site could have caused a differential of temperatures which would give a higher q value for the closer the thermometer was placed and lower for the further it was placed. In this case the thermometer was placed further from the reaction site so that it read a lower q value which in return yielded a lower heat of formation. The reaction was not swirled in the calorimeter; therefore, the temperature reading on the thermometer was being measured incorrectly. The 35.7 % error is mostly accounted by this. Another error that could have caused a fluctuation in the heat of formation is the magnesium ribbon coming in contact with oils from hands. These oils from hands could cause a mass change of the magnesium, in return causing a higher mass, causing the heat of formation to be higher. Also the magnesium ribbon was dropped two times while trying to collect it; this would cause a little reduction in mass causing the heat of formation to be less.