Question

Why does the ignition wire go into the sample dish?

(A) To heat the sample to its ignition temperature.
(B) To measure the temperature of the sample.
(C) To stir the sample.
(D) To provide oxygen for the combustion of the sample.

Answer 1

The ignition wire in a bomb calorimeter heats the sample to its ignition temperature, initiating combustion so that the energy content of the sample can be measured by the resulting temperature change in water.

Step-by-step explanation:

The ignition wire goes into the sample dish to heat the sample to its ignition temperature. This is a crucial step in a calorimetry experiment, specifically using a device like the bomb calorimeter. The purpose of the ignition wire is to provide the energy needed to start the combustion reaction within the sealed bomb of the calorimeter. When an electric current is passed through the wire embedded in the sample, it heats up the sample until it combusts. The resulting heat release from the combustion is absorbed by the surrounding water, causing a rise in temperature that is then measured. This allows for the calculation of the energy content of the sample.