Calorimeters

Calorimeters

This is a investigation into how heat transfer is effected when

different variables are changed, when boiling water is in a

colorimeter.

Variables

These are the variables which are available for me to change:

1. Different insulators e.g. Foam or Cotton Wool, Polystyrene.

2. The temperature of the water at the start of the experiment.

3. Whether or not the calorimeter has a lid on or not.

4. Different conductors e.g. Copper, Wood, other metals.

5. The amount/Volume of water.

Prediction

These are my predictions for each variable:

1. Different insulators work better than others. Different insulators

will have different effects, because of what they are made of, if the

material is a metal, it will conduct the heat, a non-metal will

insulate the heat, some better then others.

2. If the starting temperature is higher, then I predict it will be

higher at the end too, because the energy lasts longer in the hotter

water.

3. If the lid isn't on more heat will be lost, because the heat will

rise.

4. Different conductors have different effects too. Some conductors

conduct the heat quicker than others. e.g. Copper will transfer the

heat quicker than wood.

5. If there is less water there would be a smaller surface area to

volume ratio so less water will transfer less heat, and more will

enhance the transfer

Planning

I will investigate different amounts of water and different

insulators. I will use these different quantity's of water:

• 20cm cubed

• 40cm cubed

• 60cm cubed

• 80cm cubed

• 100cm cubed ( I will also change the insulator on this one)

Equipment Used

I will use the following equipment:

• Calorimeter.

• Kettle.

• Thermometer.

• Measuring Cylinder

• Insulators (Available insulators e.g. Foam).

• Stopwatch.

Method

I will measure the five different amounts of water and poor them into