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Calorimetry (DP IB Chemistry: SL)

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Calorimetry

Measuring enthalpy changes

  • Calorimetry is a technique used to measure changes in enthalpy of chemical reactions
  • A calorimeter can be made up of a polystyrene drinking cup, a vacuum flask or metal can

 

Chemical Energetics Calorimeter, downloadable AS & A Level Chemistry revision notes

A polystyrene cup can act as a calorimeter to find enthalpy changes in a chemical reaction

  • The energy needed to raise the temperature of 1 g of a substance by 1 K is called the specific heat capacity (c) of the liquid
  • The specific heat capacity of water is 4.18 J g-1 K-1
  • The energy transferred as heat can be calculated by:

Calorimetry variables symbols_1, downloadable IB Chemistry revision notes

Equation for calculating energy transferred in a calorimeter

Worked example

The energy from 0.01 mol of propan-1-ol was used to heat up 250 g of water. The temperature of the water rose from 298K to 310K (the specific heat capacity of water is 4.18 J g-1 K-1.Calculate the enthalpy of combustion.

Answer:

Step 1: q = m x c x ΔT

m (of water) = 250 g

c (of water) = 4.18 J g-1 K-1

ΔT (of water) = 310 - 298 K

                      = 12 K

Step 2: q = 250 x 4.18 x 12

       = 12 540 J

Step 3:  This is the energy released by 0.01 mol of propan-1-ol

Total energy    ΔH = q ÷ n = 12 540 J ÷ 0.01 mol = 1 254 000 J mol-1

Total energy = - 1254 kJ mol-1

Examiner Tip

There's no need to convert the temperature units in calorimetry as the change in temperature in oC is equal to the change in temperature in K

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Stewart

Author: Stewart

Expertise: Chemistry Lead

Stewart has been an enthusiastic GCSE, IGCSE, A Level and IB teacher for more than 30 years in the UK as well as overseas, and has also been an examiner for IB and A Level. As a long-standing Head of Science, Stewart brings a wealth of experience to creating Exam Questions and revision materials for Save My Exams. Stewart specialises in Chemistry, but has also taught Physics and Environmental Systems and Societies.