•The sample is placed in the sample cup
•The ignition wires are placed in contact with the sample
•An oxygen cylinder is connected to the bomb
•The precision thermometer and stirrer are fixed in place
•Exactly 2000cm³ of distilled water is placed into the container
•The container is sealed
•A large current is passed through the sample
Why is the Bomb Calorimeter so accurate?
1. Exactly 2000cm³ of distilled water is used in the calorimeter compared with the inaccurate measuring of 50cm³ in our experiment
2. The calorimeter allows precision thermometers and/or thermocouples to be used which accurately record the temperature
3. An electronic stirrer is used to homogenize the temperature of the water as opposed to the random twirling of a thermometer
4. The sample is combusted in pure oxygen to maximise complete combustion of the sample
5. A precision balance (accurate to 0.001g) is used to provide an accurate mass rather than weighing the sample on a top-pan balance
6. The calorimeter is sealed in one unit to prevent heat loss that otherwise would occur
7. Using electricity to heat the sample prevents heating of the water by the Bunsen Burner and ensures all of the sample is combusted
