Calorimetry

Calorimetry is used to determine the heat released or absorbed in a chemical

reaction. Enthalpy changes(heat changes) are measured directly using an instrument
called Calorimeter.

Calorimeters: 2 types
1.Solution Calorimeter uses for reactions involved with solutions
2.Bomb Calorimeter uses for gases
Both instruments are insulated to avoid loss or gain of Energy to or from the
outside environment.
When a reaction takes place in a calorimeter ,the heat change causes a rise or fall in
the temperature of the contents of the calorimeter.

Calibration factor: CF
We must first find out how much energy is required to increase the temperature
within a calorimeter by 10C.This is called the Calibration factor
This can be done by releasing known quantity of thermal energy in to the calorimeter
and measuring the rise in temperature.
Formula: E (energy )

V (Voltage) x I (current) x Time (seconds)

E=V it
Now the experiment can be done using the same calorimeter to find out the total
temperature increased or decreased during the chemical reaction
Calibration factor is then used to determine what energy change is responsible for
this temperature change.
Example1:
A current of 1.00A passed through the heater of the calorimeter for 10seconds at a
potential difference of 2.00Volts.
The temperature of the calorimeter rose by 0.20C.
find out the calibration factor of the calorimeter
solution:
1.first find out the amount of energy released by the heater e = V it
2.now find out the energy required to increased the temperature by 10C=CF
E = V it / Delta T(temperature difference)
CF= V it / Delta T1
or CF = E / Delta T1

Example2:
0.5mol of Methane gas was burn inside the same calorimeter. The temperature rose
from 20 21.50C
a. calculate the energy changed during the reaction
Energy changed = CF x Delta T2
b. calculate the Delta H for the reaction
above change is for 0.5 mol
now find the heat change for 1mol = Delta H
Example 3:
A temperature rise of 1.78C was observed when 1.00x 10-3mol of propane was burnt
in a calorimeter
The CF was previously determined to be 1250j 0C-1
a. Write the chemical equation for the combustion of propane
b. calculate the energy change during the reaction
c. calculate the heat of combustion for propane
d. Write the thermo chemical equation for the combustion of propane
Example 4:
A 0.254g sample of black coal was burnt in a bomb calorimeter. The calorimeter
contained 300mL of water which rose from 18.25 to 24.92C
a. calculate the heat of combustion of coal