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.

Does a calorimeter absorb energy?

For example, when an exothermic reaction occurs in solution in a calorimeter, the heat produced by the reaction is absorbed by the solution, which increases its temperature.

How much heat is absorbed by the calorimeter?

The heat absorbed by the calorimeter is q₁ = 534 J/°C × (26.9 °C – 23.4 °C) = 1869 J. The heat absorbed by water is q₁ = 675 mL × 0.997 g/mL × 4.184 J/g °C × (26.9 °C – 23.4 °C) = 9855 J. The overall amount of heat q = q₁ + q₁ = 11,724 J or 11.7 kJ with three significant digits.