Calorimeter

Definition

A calorimeter is an instrument used to measure the amount of heat absorbed or released during a chemical or physical process. It helps determine the enthalpy changes in reactions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. A calorimeter measures changes in temperature to calculate heat transfer.
2. There are different types of calorimeters, such as bomb calorimeters and coffee cup calorimeters.
3. The specific heat capacity of substances in the calorimeter must be known for accurate calculations.
4. In a bomb calorimeter, reactions occur at constant volume, while in a coffee cup calorimeter, they occur at constant pressure.
5. Calorimetric data can be used to determine enthalpies of formation and reaction.

Review Questions

• What is the main function of a calorimeter?
• Explain the difference between a bomb calorimeter and a coffee cup calorimeter.
• Why is it important to know the specific heat capacities of substances in a calorimetric experiment?

Related terms

Enthalpy:

A thermodynamic quantity equivalent to the total heat content of a system. It is equal to the internal energy of the system plus the product of pressure and volume.

Specific Heat Capacity:

The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one gram of a substance by one degree Celsius.

Thermochemistry:

The study of the energy and heat associated with chemical reactions and physical transformations.