Flowchart for Calorimeter Calculations

Calorimeter

Using the 4.18 Using Using

value of Water Electrical Chemical
Calibration Calibration
Perform reaction in Run current through Do a reaction of known
simple Polystyrene Cup Calorimeter with water enthalpy change (H) in
(“Coffee Cup in it. Measure Voltage, the calorimeter and use
Calorimeter”) Current and Time. a known mass of Step 1:
Record Tc reactant. Calculate
energy. Calculate
Record Tc Calibration
Assumption:
Factor (CF)
All energy in reaction is
transferred to water.
Final Volume of
CF = V I t / Tc CF = Energy / Tc
solution is assumed to
have the same density
and same specific heat
as water.
NO CALIBRATION Perform Reaction to
Perform Reaction to
investigate. Record TR
PERFORMED investigate. Record TR

Step 2:
Perform
Energy = 4.18 x m x T Energy = CF x TR Reaction
Energy = CF x TR
to
Determine
H

H = Energy / n(limiting)
H = Energy / n(limiting) H = Energy / n(limiting)