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  Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues > 2008  > August  >
In the Laboratory
Cost-Effective Teacher
An Inexpensive Solution Calorimeter
Emma Kavanagh, Sam Mindel, Giles Robertson, and D. E. Peter Hughes
Westminster School, London SW1P 3PB, United Kingdom
Cover
August 2008
Vol. 85 No. 8
p. 1129

Abstract
We describe the construction of a simple solution calorimeter, using a miniature bead thermistor as a temperature-sensing element. This has a response time of a few seconds and made it possible to carry out a thermometric reaction in under a minute, which led to minimal heat losses. Small temperature changes of 1 K associated with enthalpies of solution or enthalpies of neutralization can be measured with accuracy better than 1%. The degree of accuracy depended on how many measurements were made and gave the student an opportunity to think about different sources of error.

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Supplement
Construction of the thermistor and calorimeter and calibration
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Citation
Kavanagh, Emma; Mindel, Sam; Robertson, Giles; Hughes, D. E. Peter. J. Chem. Educ. 2008, 85, 1129.
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Keywords
Acids / Bases; Aqueous Solution Chemistry; Calorimetry / Thermochemistry; First-Year Undergraduate / General; Hands-On Learning / Manipulatives; High School / Introductory Chemistry; Laboratory Equipment / Apparatus; Laboratory Instruction; Physical Chemistry; Thermal Analysis; Thermodynamics
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History
Created:
Last Updated:
6/23/2008
7/2/2008
 Caution! 
Experiments, laboratory exercises, lecture demonstrations, and other descriptions of the use of chemicals, apparatus, instruments, computers, and computer interfaces are presented in the Journal of Chemical Education as illustrative of new or improved ideas or concepts in chemistry instruction and are directed at qualified teachers. Although every effort is made to assure and encourage safe practices and safe use of chemicals, the Journal of Chemical Education cannot assume responsibility for uses made of its published materials. Many chemicals are hazardous. Precautions for the safe use of hazardous chemicals and directions for their proper disposal are described in the Material Safety Data Sheets and on the labels. We strongly urge all those planning to use materials from our pages to make choices and to develop procedures for laboratory and classroom safety in accordance with local needs and situations.
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