Created By : Naaz Fatima

Reviewed By : Phani Ponnapalli

Last Updated : May 10, 2023


Calorimetry is a study of heat absorbed or released into surroundings during a chemical reaction. To help you master the concept of Calorimetry we have jotted the Calorimetry Formulas. Learn them and understand the related terms effectively and apply these Formulas on Calorimetry while solving related problems. You will witness about Specific Heat Capacity, Water Equivalent, Latent Heat, and many related formulae here. Take help from the Physics Formulas to take your conceptual knowledge to the next level.

All Important Calorimetry Formulae

1. Specific heat capacity

Is defined as the amount of heat required to raise the temp, of unit mass of a body by 1┬░C
s = \(\frac{\mathrm{Q}}{\mathrm{m} \Delta \theta}\)
unit ΓåÆ J/kg – ┬░C (S. I. system)
→ cal/gm-°C

2. Heat capacity (C)

C = ms = \(\frac{\mathrm{Q}}{\Delta \theta}\)

3. Water equivalent

When the heat capacity of a body is expressed in terms of mass of water, it is called water equivalent of the body. It is the mass of water which when given same heat as to the body, changes the temperature of water through the same range as that of the body.
W = ms

4. Latent heat

(a) The heat required to change the unit mass of a solid to its liquid state at its melting point is called Latent Heat of Fusion. For changing from ice to water Lf = 80 cal/gm.

(b) The heat required to change the unit mass of the liquid to its vapour state at its boiling points is called Latent Heat of Vapourisation. For changing from water to steam Lv = 540 cal/gm.

(c) Q = mL

Note:-
1. For changing from solid (ice) to gas (steam), following transformation takes place. Suppose you have an ice at 2┬░C and you want to convert it to steam at 100┬░C than,
Calorimetry formulas img 1
Calorimetry formulas img 2
It can also be shown graphically
Calorimetry formulas img 3

5. Principle of calorimetry

(i) When two substances of different temperatures are mixed.
Heat released by I substance ΓÑñ Heat absorbed by II substance
m1s1 (T1 – T) = m2s2 (T – T1)
Final temp T = \(\frac{m_{1} s_{1} T_{1}+m_{2} s_{2} T_{2}}{m_{1} s_{1}+m_{2} s_{2}}\)

6. Solution technique to find specific heat of a solid

Consider a calorimeter whose water equivalent is W. Assume that it contains mass m, of water at temperature ╬╕1. A hot solid at temperature ╬╕2 having mass m2 is placed in the calorimeter. The mixture acquires a final temperature ╬╕.
If s is specific heat of water, then
Heat gained by water and calorimeter = (m1 + W)s ├ù (╬╕ – ╬╕1)
If s’ is specific heat of solid, then
Heat lost by solid = m2 ├ù s’ ├ù (╬╕2 – ╬╕)
by principle of calorimetry,
m2s’ (╬╕2 – ╬╕) = (m1 + W)s (╬╕ – ╬╕1)
s’ = \(\frac{\left(m_{1}+W\right) s\left(\theta-\theta_{1}\right)}{m_{2}\left(\theta_{2}-\theta\right)}\)

7. To find the latent heat of vapourisation

Consider a calorimeter of water equivalent W. Assume it to contain water at temperature ╬╕1 having mass m1. Suppose the steam at temperature ╬╕2 of mass m2 is passed through water so that temperature of the mixture becomes ╬╕.
If s is the specific heat of water, then.
Heat gained by water and calorimeter = (m1 + W) ├ù s ├ù (╬╕ – ╬╕1)
If L is the latent heat of vapourisation, then
Heat lost by steam in changing to water = m2L
Heat lost by water = m2 ├ù s ├ù (╬╕2 – ╬╕)
by principle of calorimetry
Heat lost = Heat gained
m2L + m2s (╬╕2 – ╬╕) = (m1 + W) s (╬╕ – ╬╕1)
m2L = (m1 + W) s (╬╕ – ╬╕1) – m2s (╬╕2 – ╬╕)
L = \(\frac{\left(m_{1}+W\right) s\left(\theta-\theta_{1}\right)}{m_{2}}\) – s(╬╕2 – ╬╕)

8. Mechanical equivalent of heat (J)

W = JH Unit of J = Joule/cal.
Γåæ Γåæ J = 4.2 J/cal.
In joule In calorie

9. Conversion of temp. scale

\(\frac{\mathrm{T}_{\mathrm{C}}-0}{100}=\frac{\mathrm{T}_{\mathrm{F}}-32}{180}=\frac{\mathrm{T}_{\mathrm{R}}-0}{80}=\frac{\mathrm{T}_{\mathrm{K}}-273}{100}\)
⇒ \(\frac{T_{C}}{5}=\frac{T_{F}-32}{9}=\frac{T_{R}}{4}=\frac{T_{K}-273}{5}\)
\(\frac{\Delta \mathrm{T}_{\mathrm{C}}}{5}=\frac{\Delta \mathrm{T}_{\mathrm{F}}}{9}=\frac{\Delta \mathrm{T}_{\mathrm{R}}}{4}=\frac{\Delta \mathrm{T}_{\mathrm{K}}}{5}\)
Δ → change
TC → Temp.in Celsius
TF → Temp.in Farenheit
TR → Temp.in Reaumer
TK → Temp.in Kelvin

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