how do i build a simple calorimeter at home sufficient enough for a cheeto calorimeter lab?

Question

bio-chemistry, cheeto, calorimeter, calories

Answer 1

Use a small tin can with the cover removed. Burn the cheeto on the cover. You'll need to suspend the can about 3/4 - 1 inch above the cheeto. Fill it with a known amount of water. Have tinfoil ready (enough to wrap around the lid and can, to surround the fire) Place a thermometer in the water and let it stand for 2-3 minutes to accurately measure the temp-then record. Light the cheeto-making sure you don't add any more heat than necessary to get it going. Quickly place the tinfoil around the system and let it burn. Record the max temp of the water.

Answer 2

If you can get a stir bar (teflon covered) and something to spin another magnet, you are 1/2 way there. One of those big gulp cups has lots of poly insulation. and makes a good container. Transferring the heat from the burning organic to the water in the cup is tricky and there are many options. Try to get a thermometer with as narrow a range as possible so that there will be a large change which will be easy to read. Keeping the water stirring slowly will assure that everything in the cup is at the same temperature. Usually the trick is to have the burning item transfer all of the heat to a piece of metal and then drop the metal into the cup. Copper is a good choice. Try to make it large enough so that it will not burn through the bottom of the cup when dropped.