Calibration of a Calorimeter

Experiment 55: Calibration of a calorimeter

TEACHER NOTES

RATIONALE

In this experiment, students will develop an understanding of energy transformations and calibrate a calorimeter that they can use later in thermochemical experiments.

Many datalogger manufacturers have this experiment as a preset file, automatically configuring the interface to suitable sampling rates. Excellent results can be expected when compared with traditional manual methods.

If interfaces are limited this experiment is also suitable as a demonstration or extension activity following traditional methods.

Concepts: energy, heat transfer, calorimeter, specific heat, insulation

Time: 45 minutes]

Suitable interfaces: 3 × Analogue sensor connections supporting sampling rates between 1 second per sample and 10 minutes per sample. Standard graphing functions should be available with the supported software and a calculator function will enable a fully automated calibration to be performed without external calculations.

MATERIALS

The materials required per experiment group of 20 students, working in pairs, are listed below. Adjust the quantities depending on the number of interfaces available. A more fully automated solution is possible with voltage and current sensors.

1. interface (sampling rate = 10 seconds per sample, sampling time = 20 minutes)

2. 10 × polystyrene cup or calorimeter

3. 10 × temperature sensors (1 per interface)

4. 10 × voltage sensors (1 per interface)

5. 10 × current sensors (1 per interface)

6. See page 174 of Heinemann Chemistry Two Teacher’s Resource Book, third edition, or the following student notes, for the remainder of the equipment.

General notes for getting started

7. Consult your interface’s manual for instructions on where to find specific software features referred to in the experiment.

8. When editing the experiment include some screen captures or copies from the manual of particular screens and features to assist...