SJK (TAMIL) MENTAKAB
28400 MENTAKAB , PAHANG
ABSTRACT
Calorimeter is a device used to measure amount of
calories present in food samples. An
environmentally friendly calorimeter was designed
by using glass panels, copper container and waste
products like sugarcane bagasse and coconut husk
to determine calorie content in food samples. The
body of the calorimeter was made of double layered
glass panels to prevent heat lost to the surrounding.
Copper container which is a good heat conductor
was used to transfer heat from the combustion of
the food to water. Meanwhile, sugarcane bagasse
and coconut husk were used to cover the outer
layer of copper container to prevent heat lost.
Moreover, small holes at the bottom and top of the
calorimeter allow air flow in and out for complete
combustion of the food sample. Generally, the
enhanced design and materials used in this
calorimeter prevents heat loss to the surrounding.
Therefore, the result produced by this calorimeter
for various food samples were comparable with
literature values. This innovative calorimeter was
designed to carry out school level experiments with
higher accuracy and lower cost.
INTRODUCTION
Calorimeter is an instrument used for measuring the
quantity of heat energy released by a food sample
when it undergoes combustion. In schools, students
use simple calorimeter as shown in Figure 1 to
determine calories in the food samples.
Figure 1
The amount of calorie (Q) produced by a food
sample is given by the equation below:
Energy value (J g1) =
Mass of water (g) x increase in temperature (OC) x 4.2 (J g1 OC1)
Mass of food sample(g)
PROBLEM STATEMENT
The conventional calorimeters which are used in
school laboratories (Figure 1) tend to give inaccurate
results due to most of the combustion energy being
lost to the surrounding.
SOLUTION
To overcome this problem a group of students
designed a simple calorimeter by using glass panels,
copper container and waste product like sugarcane
bagasse and coconut husk. This instrument is able to
determine calorie content in various food samples
more accurately
STRUCTURE – TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATION OF IDC
The body of the calorimeter was made of double
layered glass panels to prevent heat lost to the
surrounding. Meanwhile, sugarcane bagasse and
coconut husk were used as insulator to cover the
outer layer of the copper container to prevent the
heat loss. Moreover, small holes at the bottom and
top of the calorimeter allow air flow in and out for the
complete combustion of the food samples.
Double Layered Glass Panel
Good insulator and it prevents heat loss to
surrounding.Visible of sample combustion clearly
Holes on The Bottom and Top Of The Container
Side holes
To provide steady supply of oxygen for the
complete combustion.
Top holes
To allow the hot air and the smoke to flow
out of the calorimeter.
Distance from the Food Samples and The Copper
Container
The distance between the sample and the copper
container is 2 cm. This gives the flame enough room
to form and have greater contact with the copper
container.
Double Layered Copper Container
Double layer of copper container with sugarcane
bagasse in between which provide good insulation to
trap the heat in the water for a long time.
Digital EV3 Thermometer
To measure temperature of water in the copper
container more accurately.
Copper container
Good heat conductor to transfer heat from the
combustion of the food to water.