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Bomb Calorimetry Essay

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Calorimetry is the analysis of energy changes in a certain system by determining how heat interacts within the system and with its surroundings. Bomb calorimetry, also known as constant volume calorimetry, is a method used in determining the enthalpy of combustion of a given hydrocarbon through the analysis of heat exchange in chemical reactions. The enthalpy of the substance is determined by many factors, including the heat capacity of the calorimeter, moles of substance lost during combustion, and the number of gas molecules lost post-combustion, to name a few. The relationship among the given factors were studied and applied in determining the enthalpy of combustion of a naphthalene (C10H8) sample. A standard bomb calorimeter, together with …show more content…

The purpose of the container is not only to keep the combustion reaction contained, but also to keep the volume of the set-up constant. This container is filled with pure oxygen in order to facilitate the combustion reaction before being submerged in a liquid (usually distilled water) which will absorb the heat of the reaction, evidenced by the change in temperature read in the thermometer. Normally used in the food industry to determine the amount of calories certain food items have, the bomb calorimeter is used to determine the enthalpy of combustion of substances. The apparatus is used in particular for determining that specific quantity since the “bomb” is built to withstand the particularly high pressures which come from combustion of the sample 2.

Before the naphthalene sample was analyzed, the bomb calorimeter was calibrated through the use of a benzoic acid standard. 0.2 grams of benzoic acid powder were weighed and used to fill a pellet press mould. The mould was then positioned underneath a press and the handle attached to the press was firmly pressed downward for a tightly-packed pellet to be formed.The weight of the pellet formed was then taken note of before the iron wire to be used for ignition was

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