Cold Pack And Exothermic Reaction Lab Report

Chemical bonding, also known as chemical reactions, are happening all around us. From cold packs we use on various injuries to the water we drink, they’re all results of chemical bonding. To be more specific, endothermic and exothermic reactions are both types of chemical reactions that are classified by the heat energy that is either released or absorbed when a reaction occurs. An example of an endothermic reaction would be an “instant cold pack”, which become chilled when activated. As for exothermic reactions, “hot packs” make great examples due to their significant temperature increase in just a few minutes. During this investigation, I strived to figure out if an endothermic or exothermic reaction occurs in a cold pack. This goal was formed based on the guiding question: What type of chemical reaction occurs in a cold pack?

To conduct this investigation, I began by creating a list of procedures to follow in order to stay on track and work efficiently. Firstly, I had to collect the materials I needed and work out the correct amounts of each substance to use in order for the reaction to work correctly. I settled with 50mL of water, the activator, and 15g of ammonium nitrate, the substance used to chill the water. Each substance was given its own bag, with the water within the smaller bag that sits inside the larger bag containing ammonium nitrate. The bag containing water was

This was concluded by simply comparing the initial and final temperatures of the substance(s) in the two plastic bags. Using prior knowledge, I knew that if there was a decrease in temperature, an endothermic reaction had taken place. But if there was an increase in temperature, an exothermic reaction had taken place. Comparing the two temperatures (I=23℃, F=17℃), a decrease in temperature was very noticeable. Based on the facts stated previously, an endothermic reaction had taken