Calculate the Calorimeter Constant (Ccal) if 25.00 g of water at 50.21°C was added to 25.00 g of water at 25.00 °C, resulting in an equilibrium temperature of 35.00 °C?
To calculate the Calorimeter Constant (Ccal), you need to use the formula:
Ccal = (m1 × c1 × ΔT1) / ΔT2
where:
- Ccal is the Calorimeter Constant
- m1 is the mass of the hot water
- c1 is the specific heat capacity of water
- ΔT1 is the change in temperature of the hot water
- ΔT2 is the change in temperature of the final mixture
First, let's calculate the values we need:
m1 = mass of hot water = 25.00 g
c1 = specific heat capacity of water = 4.18 J/g°C (this is often used as an approximation)
ΔT1 = change in temperature of the hot water = (final temperature - initial temperature) = (35.0 °C - 50.21 °C) = -15.21 °C (Note: The negative sign indicates a decrease in temperature)
ΔT2 = change in temperature of the final mixture = (final temperature - initial temperature) = (35.0 °C - 25.0 °C) = 10.0 °C
Now, we can substitute these values into the formula:
Ccal = (m1 × c1 × ΔT1) / ΔT2
Ccal = (25.00 g × 4.18 J/g°C × -15.21 °C) / 10.0 °C
Simplifying the calculation:
Ccal = (-1505.25 J) / 10.0 °C
Ccal = -150.52 J/°C
Therefore, the Calorimeter Constant (Ccal) is approximately -150.52 J/°C.