Is the calculated enthelpy of solution more positive

[disneychannel]

Homework Statement

Because heat is absorbed from the calorimeter from an endothermic dissolving process, is the calculated enthalpy of solution more positive or more negative from what it should be?

The Attempt at a Solution

I though it would be more positive because an endothermic reaction is one in which the heat goes into the system, causing the enthalpy to increase.

But, somewhere I read that if you have an endothermic reaction, the calorimeter would release some heat; ΔH(total) that looks only at the heat of the mixture would give a less positive number (or less negative number).

 

[nate808]

This is a great question! The calculated enthalpy of solution would actually be more negative than it should be. This is because the heat absorbed by the calorimeter is included in the calculation of the enthalpy of solution. Since the heat is absorbed by the calorimeter, it is not available to contribute to the enthalpy of the solution. Therefore, the measured enthalpy of solution will be lower than the actual enthalpy of the reaction. This is why it is important to take into account the heat absorbed by the calorimeter when calculating the enthalpy of solution.