Thermodynamic Properties of Magnesium Oxide and Beryllium Oxide from 298 to 1,200 °K

As a step in developing new standards of high-temperature heat capacity and in determining accurate thermodynamic data for simple substances, the enthalpy (heat content) relative to 273 °K, of high purity fused magnesium oxide, MgO, and of sintered beryllium oxide, BeO, was measured up to 1,173 °K. A Bunsen ice calorimeter and the drop method were used. The two samples of BeO measured had surface-to-volume ratios differing by a factor of 15 or 20, yet agreed with each other closely enough to preclude appreciable error attributable to the considerable surface area. The enthalpies found for MgO are several percent higher than most previously reported values. The values are represented within their uncertainty (estimated to average ± 0.25%) by the following empirical equations (cal mole^-1 at T °K) Values of enthalpy, heat capacity, entropy, and Gibbs free-energy function are tabulated from 298.15 to 1,200 °K.