The calorimeter can be used to compare the specific heat capacities of substances listed on the Gizmo by measuring the amount of heat absorbed or released by each substance when it is placed in the calorimeter.
To do this, a known mass of the substance would be heated to a specific temperature and then placed in the calorimeter, which is filled with a known mass of water at a specific temperature. The temperature change of the water would then be measured over time using a thermometer.
Using the formula Q = mcΔT, where Q is the heat absorbed or released by the substance, m is the mass of the substance, c is the specific heat capacity of the substance, and ΔT is the change in temperature of the water, we can calculate the specific heat capacity of the substance.
By comparing the specific heat capacities of different substances, we can determine which substances require more or less heat energy to produce a given temperature change, and which substances are better at retaining heat. This information can be useful in a variety of applications, such as designing heating and cooling systems or developing new materials with specific thermal properties.