calorimeter

n. instrument that measures amounts of heat

A calorimeter is a device used for calorimetry, the science of measuring the heat of chemical reactions or physical changes as well as heat capacity. The word calorimeter is derived from the Latin word calor, meaning heat. Differential Scanning Calorimeters, Isothermal Microcalorimeters, Titration Calorimeters and Accelerated Rate Calorimeters are among the most common types. A simple calorimeter just consists of a thermometer attached to an insulated container. To find the enthalpy change per mole of a substance X in a reaction between two liquids X and Y, they are added to the calorimeter and the initial and final (after the reaction has finished) temperatures are noted. Multiplying the temperature change by the mass and specific heat capacities of the liquids gives a value for the energy given off during the reaction (assuming the reaction was exothermic.) Dividing the energy change by how many moles of X were present gives its enthalpy change of reaction. This method is used primarily in academic teaching as it describes the theory of calorimetry. It doesn’t however account for the heat loss through the container or the heat capacity of the thermometer and container itself. In addition, the object placed inside the calorimeter show that the objects transferred their heat to the calorimeter and into the liquid, and the heat absorbed by the calorimeter and the liquid is equal to the heat given off by the metals.
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Noun
1. a measuring instrument that determines quantities of heat
(hypernym) measuring instrument, measuring system, measuring device
(hyponym) bomb calorimeter, bomb

n. calorimeter, instrument that measures amounts of heat

(n.)
An apparatus for measuring the proportion of unevaporated water contained in steam.
  

(n.)
An apparatus for measuring the amount of heat contained in bodies or developed by some mechanical or chemical process, as friction, chemical combination, combustion, etc.