Question

Would the amount of heat measured for the reaction in Example 5.5 be greater, lesser, or remain the same if we used a calorimeter that was a poorer insulator than a coffee cup calorimeter? Explain your answer.

a) Greater, because a poorer insulator allows more heat transfer.
b) Lesser, due to increased insulation in a poorer calorimeter.
c) Remain the same, as insulation doesn't affect heat measurement.
d) None of the above.

Answer 1

The amount of heat measured would be lesser if using a calorimeter that is a poorer insulator, as more heat would be lost to the surroundings, resulting in a lesser temperature change and calculated heat value.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student asked whether the amount of heat measured for the reaction in Example 5.5 would be greater, lesser, or remain the same if we used a calorimeter that was a poorer insulator than a coffee cup calorimeter.

The correct answer is that the measured heat would be lesser because a poorer insulator would allow more heat to escape to the surroundings, meaning that the change in temperature (ΔT) for the water would be lesser and the calculated quantity of heat (q) would also be lesser. This is because the heat measured in a calorimetry experiment is influenced by the insulation of the calorimeter.