calorimeter, device for measuring the heat developed during a mechanical, electrical, or chemical reaction, and for calculating the heat capacity of materials. Calorimeters have been designed in great variety.

What is a calorimeter and how does it work?

A typical calorimeter works by simply capturing all the energy released (or absorbed) by a reaction in a water bath. ... Thus by measuring the change in the temperature of the water we can quantify the heat (enthalpy) of the chemical reaction.

Does the calorimeter absorb heat?

Ideally, the components of the calorimeter would absorb no heat, but the components of the calorimeters always absorb some energy from the system. The heat capacity of the calorimeter is the quantity of heat absorbed by the calorimeter for each 1°C rise in temperature.