Answer to Question #171884 in General Chemistry for Erin

Question

List 3 possible sources of error when using a Styrofoam cup as a calorimeter in experiments

Answer 1

Sources of error for this lab include the

calorimeter’s insulation, the incomplete combustion of the paraffin, and the insulation of the

combustion of paraffin. The double-Styrofoam cup calorimeter was not an entirely closed system

due to the hole at the top. The hole had a larger diameter than the thermometer so energy was

able to transfer to the outer system (the room) through it. The incomplete combustion of the

paraffin made the transfer of energy between the water and paraffin very inefficient. Also

because the burning of the paraffin was in the open air and not in an insulated bellows with

sufficient oxygen, not all of the energy of the paraffin was transferred into the water.