Calorimeters as Isolated Systems

[Leonardo Le Merle 1D]

I may be misunderstanding definitions, but how can a bomb calorimeter be an isolated system if energy is allowed to transfer to the water? Doesn’t an isolated system mean matter and energy exchange is not allowed?

[andrewcj 2C]

In a bomb calorimeter, the item being burned is considered part of the system. An isolated system cannot exchange matter and energy with its surroundings, but it can exchange matter and energy within itself.

[Chantel_2I]

Dr. Lavelle specified in class that there can still be a lot happening within the system, without it interacting with the surroundings. Everything within the calorimeter is part of the system, and reactions can still occur within the system. However, there will be no energy transfer with anything outside the calorimeter.