Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Applied Science
NAME: Sophia Lontoc
STUDENT ID: 20482787
UNIT 2: Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques
Assignment 2B: Cooling Curve
I am a newly appointed technical assistant at a large chemical plant, Chemical Equip. As
part of my induction period and to progress in my role, I have to demonstrate my skills in a
range of practical procedures and techniques. Part of my role is to ensure equipment is
calibrated and equipment and chemicals are safety checked.
I need to demonstrate my ability to use a calorimeter and associated equipment to obtain
data to determine, analyse and evaluate the rate of cooling of substances.
Cooling Curve
A substance's cooling curve is a graph representing the change in temperature over time as
it is allowed to cool. The gradient of the cooling curve is influenced by the heat capacity,
thermal conductivity, and ambient temperature of the material. The gradient of the curve will
be smaller as the substance cools more slowly and requires more heat to change its
temperature. The faster heat is transported and the substance cools, the higher the thermal
conductivity.
The heat capacity of liquids is usually the highest of the phases. Because the temperature
difference between the surroundings and the substance decreases as the substance cools,
the lines are curved. This reduces the rate at which heat is transferred out of the substance,
thereby slowing cooling.
Calibration of Alcohol and Digital Thermometers
Introduction:
The three aforementioned subsystems can be calibrated together to calibrate a thermometer
as a whole system, or each subsystem can be calibrated independently. Because the three
parts of a liquid in a glass thermometer cannot be separated, the entire system must be
calibrated. But with a resistance thermometer, the temperature indicator may be calibrated
independently by applying known resistor values and seeing the result, and the sensing
element (resistor) can be calibrated separately by measuring direct resistance at various
temperature points. However, since this is how the thermometer is used in practice, it is
preferable to calibrate the thermometer as a full system when it is practicable.
Health and safety:
● Wash your hands
, ● Follow the instructions and don’t do unauthorised experiments
● Never taste anything
● Tie your hair if it’s long
Risk assessment:
Chemical Apparatus Hazards What to do in case of
emergency
Beaker Might break Use appropriate
cut-resistant gloves to
handle broken glass. / Use
tongs or other equipment to
pick up or remove the glass
debris.
Thermometer Might break Use appropriate
cut-resistant gloves to
handle broken glass. / Use
tongs or other equipment to
pick up or remove the glass
debris.
Hot water Might spill on you To halt the fire, leave the
area as soon as possible.
For 20 minutes, run cool or
warm water over the burn to
reduce the temperature.
Calibration of Alcohol thermometer
Methods for Ice point and boiling point calibration;
The technician had all the necessary equipment ready before the experiment. The
equipment was just collected from the box where the technician put the equipment.
Two calibration points were conducted, one for ice point calibration and one for boiling point
calibration.
The ice was crushed with a mortar and pestle. The ice was transferred into a beaker then
mixed with water, but not enough for it to float. The mixture was thoroughly stirred, and the
clamped alcohol thermometer was placed into the slurry ice. The result was then recorded
after at least three minutes of waiting. Two more readings were taken at least two minutes
apart to ensure that the readings were correct and accurate, and the results were recorded.
The reading must be 0 degree celsius otherwise the thermometer must be replaced.
For the procedure of Boiling point calibration;
A glass beaker was filled with water and placed on the heater. Then after a few minutes of
waiting for the water to continuously boil, the clamped alcohol thermometer was then placed
in boiling water. The reading was then recorded after 7 minutes of waiting. Two more
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