calorimetry

• what is calorimetry?


  a practical method used to measure the maximum temperature change occurring in a reaction involving heat transfer to a known volume of water or solution which is contained inside a container (the calorimeter).
• what can the calorimeter be?

  a metal can, glass beaker of polystyrene cup.
• what happens if the reaction is exothermic?

  the heat energy will be transferred from the reaction system to the surroundings causing the temperature of the surroundings to increase.
• what happens if the reaction is endothermic?

  the heat energy will be transferred from the surroundings to the reaction system causing the temperature of the surroundings to decrease.
• how can we calculate the amount go heat energy transferred?


  q = m x c x (temp change)

  q = amount of heat energy transferred (J)

  m = mass of water/solution used (g)

  c = the SHC (specific heat capacity)
• how can we calculate the molar enthalpy change of the reaction?

  molar enthalpy change change = -q / n

  -q = the amount of heat energy transferred (J)

  n = the number of moles of the reactant used in reaction (mol)