calorimetry

• what is calorimetry?


  a technique for calculating energy changes based upon the known heat capacity of water
• what is the equation for heat change?


  heat change=mass x heat capacity x temperature change
• whats the specific heat capacity of water?

  4.18
• why is polystyrene chosen to construct the calorimeter?

  insulation to prevent heat energy transfer
• what is the role of the polystyrene lid?


  avoids heat loss due to evaporation
• why is stirring important?


  distributes heat energy evenly
• what are the sources of error?


  • heat losses to the surroundings
  • incomplete reaction
  • assuming that the heat capacity of aqueous solution is the same as water
  • assuming that the density of solutions is the same as for water, so the value for mass of water is out
• whats the density of water?

  1gcm-3