1500 g of a hydrocarbon was placed in a bomb calorimeter fil

1.500 g of a hydrocarbon was placed in a bomb calorimeter filled with excess o2 gas. The bomb had a heat capacity of 10.86 x 103 J/°C. The water temperature rose from 20.00°C to 23.55°C. What was the heat of combustion per gram of the hydrocarbon?

Solution

Q = mcT

Q = heat energy (Joules, J), m = mass of a substance (kg)

c = specific heat (units J/kgK), is a symbol meaning \"the change in\"

T = change in temperature (Kelvins, K)

Q = 1.5 x 4.18 x (23.55-20) = 22.25

Heat absorbed by Calorimeter = 10.86 x 10³ x 3.55 = 38553

Total energy realesed by Hydrocarbon = 22.25 + 38553 = 38575.25 Joules

Heat of combuston per gram = 38575.25 / 1.5 = 25716.83 Joules