Chapter EN, Problem 10PQ

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Molar heat of decomposition for ammonium nitrate has to be determined.

Concept Introduction:

A bomb calorimeter is an insulated container that contains a reaction chamber designed to withstand high pressure. The reaction chamber is surrounded by water that absorbs the heat of reaction. This setup is used to study reactions at constant volume like combustion reactions of organic compounds. A sample of compound being burned is placed in the reaction chamber that is then sealed and pressurized with oxygen. In this case, the specific heat of calorimeter is called calorimeter constant.

Calorimeter is a device that is employed to measure the heat absorbed or released by the system. Calorimeter is of two types:

1. Coffee cup calorimeter

2. Bomb calorimeter

Specific heat capacity $\left(c\right)$ of a substance is amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of $1\text{g}$ of a substance by $1\text{K}$. The formula to calculate heat required is as follows:

  $q=\left(\text{mass}\right)\left(c\right)\left(\Delta T\right)$

Here,

  $\Delta T$ is temperature difference.

  $q$ is heat released or absorbed.

  $c$ is specific heat capacity of the substance.