Calorimetry is the science of measuring the amount of heat exchanged in physical or chemical processes. It is a key technique in thermochemistry to determine how much energy is absorbed or released by a substance.
Key points:
- Purpose:
- To measure heat changes in reactions (exothermic or endothermic).
- To determine specific heat capacity, heat of fusion, heat of vaporization, or heat of reaction.
- Calorimeter:
- The instrument used in calorimetry is called a calorimeter, which is designed to minimize heat loss to the surroundings so that accurate measurements can be taken.
- Process:
- The substance is placed in the calorimeter, and the temperature change is measured.
- Using the temperature change and the properties of the substance, the amount of heat absorbed or released is calculated.
- Applications:
- Measuring energy content of foods.
- Determining heat released by fuels.
- Studying reaction enthalpies in chemistry.
In simple terms, calorimetry allows scientists to “weigh” energy, just as a scale weighs matter.