Thermometer Calibration and Cooling Curve Study

Abstract

In this assignment, I conducted an experiment using cooling curves to analyze the rate of cooling of substances. I obtained data using provided equipment to construct cooling curves and subsequently analyzed the rate of cooling to draw conclusions. Additionally, I evaluated the accuracy of my practical work in relation to the analysis of cooling curves. Furthermore, I calibrated the thermometers provided to ensure precise temperature measurements.

Introduction

Calibration is a fundamental process to guarantee the accuracy of instruments employed in experiments, especially when measuring critical parameters such as temperature.

It ensures that instruments provide reliable and consistent readings, essential for meaningful data collection and analysis. Over time, equipment may experience variations in accuracy, making periodic calibration essential for maintaining precision and reliability in measurements. The primary goal of calibration is to minimize measurement errors by verifying the accuracy of the equipment.

Apparatus

• Thermometers (alcohol, mercury, and digital)
• Crushed ice
• Water
• 500 ml Glass beaker
• Stopwatch
• Bunsen burner
• Tripod and gauze
• Glass rod
• Heat-resistant mat

Risk Assessment

• Wear a lab coat and goggles during the experiment.
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• Handle glassware carefully to prevent accidents and cuts.
• Ensure there is no parallax error when reading temperature.
• Heat the water in the beaker gently to avoid rapid temperature changes.
• Stir the contents for even heat distribution.

Prodecure

Calibrating – Using Ice:

1. Fill an insulated glass beaker with crushed ice.
2. Add 1/2 cup of water and let the mixture sit for five minutes.
3. Insert the sensing end of the thermometers into the center of the ice mixture and position them in the beaker.
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4. For the digital thermometer, allow it to sit for at least 30 seconds until it displays 0°C. If an error is displayed, repeat steps 3 and 4.
5. Press the "Reset" button on the digital thermometer to complete calibration.
6. For the alcohol and mercury thermometers, insert them into the beaker with crushed ice and record the readings.

Calibrating – Using Boiling Water:

1. Fill a large beaker with water and bring it to a boil on a Bunsen burner. Turn off the heat once the water has boiled.
2. Insert the sensing end of the thermometers into the center of the hot water and position them in the beaker.
3. For the digital thermometer, let it sit in the water for 30 seconds until it displays 100°C. The digital thermometer is now calibrated.
4. For the alcohol and mercury thermometers, insert them into the beaker with boiling water and record the readings.

RESULTS

Discussion

The calibration aimed to determine which thermometer type provided the most accurate readings. The digital thermometer displayed precise temperature readings, with an initial temperature of 100.4°C, making it the most accurate and reliable. The alcohol thermometer also exhibited stable readings. In contrast, the mercury thermometer showed significant temperature fluctuations for all recorded readings.

Conclusion

Based on the results, it is concluded that the alcohol and digital thermometers are the most accurate among the three types. The mercury thermometer displayed less precision due to its temperature fluctuations.