Question

To begin the experiment, 1.11g of methane CH4 is burned in a bomb calorimeter containing 1000 grams of water. The initial temperature of water is 24.85o C. The specific heat of water is 4.184 J/g oC. The heat capacity of the calorimeter is 695 J/ oC . After the reaction the final temperature of the water is 35.65o C.

Calculate the change in temperature, ΔT

Answer 1

This problem, when you read it, may seem scaring, I mean difficult to solve. You soon thnkg how to relate the mass of CH4 and it combutions with the change in temperature of thw water and the calorimeter.

But when you read it carfully (twice) you realize tha the question is the change in temperature and you are given both the initial and the final temperatures, then you just must subtract the initial temperature from the final temperature to get the answer:

ΔT = Final temperature - Initial temperature = 35,65°C - 24,85°C = 10.80 °C.

Answer: 10.80°C.