Types of Calorimeters

[hadydamaj27]

When a problem specifies that the type of calorimeter is a bomb calorimeter, how do you apply this information? What is special about a bomb calorimeter specifically, and what equations would you use in relation to this information?

[Lexi Brownsberger 2E]

If you are dealing with a bomb calorimeter, you are dealing with an isolated system since no matter or energy can enter or leave the calorimeter. This means that you are able to use equations with temperature as a constant, allowing you to solve for other missing variables.

[Rishika_Kanaparthy_1G]

A bomb calorimeter is used for reactions that occur under constant volume conditions. It measures heat transfer accurately within a sealed container, allowing for precise determination of heat released or absorbed. The key equation used in bomb calorimetry is q =CdeltaT, where q is the heat transfer, C is the heat capacity of the calorimeter, and Delta T is the change in temperature.

[Isabelle Huerta 2I]

For problems working with a bomb calorimeter, it usually means that we are focusing on the heat being released/absorbed with volume at a continuous rate. The bomb calorimeter is referring to a sealed container where the reaction is occurring at a constant volume. A bomb calorimeter is able to measure the heat of reactions under constant volume. This is important for combustion reactions because volume carries very little significance as it does in the bomb calorimeter. For bomb calorimeter, the equation we use is q = -C∆T (q = heat being transferred, C = calorimeter constant, ∆T = change in temperature).