Problem: A researcher studying the nutritional value of a new candy places a 5.80-gram sample of the candy inside a bomb calorimeter and combusts it in excess of oxygen. The observed temperature increase is 2.92 degrees Celcius. If the heat capacity of the calorimeter is 36.00 kJ*K-1, how many nutritional Calories are there per gram of the candy?

FREE Expert Solution

Recall that heat can be calculated using the following equation:

$\boxed{\mathbf{q}\mathbf{=}\mathbf{c}\mathbf{∆}\mathbf{T}}$

q = heat, J

• +q → absorbs heat
• –q → loses heat
 c = specific heat capacity = kJ/K
 ΔT = T_f – T_i = (°C or K)

Given:

ΔT= 2.92°C or K (either unit is equivalent for temperature change)
c = 36.00 kJ/K
q = ??

$$\begin{gathered} \mathbf{q}\mathbf{=}\mathbf{c}\mathbf{∆}\mathbf{T} \\ \mathbf{q}\mathbf{=}(36.00 \mathrm{kJ}/\cancel{K})(2.92 \cancel{K}) \end{gathered}$$

q = 105.12 kJ