Question

A constant volume calorimeter (bomb calorimeter) was calibrated by performing in it a reaction in which 5.23 kJ of heat energy was released, causing the calorimeter to rise by 7.33 °C. What is the heat capacity C of the calorimeter?

Answer 1

Explanation:

Relation between heat energy and specific heat is as follows.

            $q_{bomb} = c \times \Delta t$

or,            c = $\frac{q_{bomb}}{\Delta t}$

where,     c = specific heat

           $q_{bomb}$ = heat energy

           $\Delta t$ = change in temperature

Putting the given values into the above formula we will calculate the specific heat as follows.

                c = $\frac{q_{bomb}}{\Delta t}$

                   = $\frac{5.23 kJ}{7.33^{o}C}$

                   = 0.713 $kJ^{o}C$

Thus, we can conclude that heat capacity C of the calorimeter is 0.713 $kJ^{o}C$.