Calorimeters are used to measure which of the following properties?

• A. Temperature change
• B. Heat capacity at constant pressure
• C. Specific heat capacity
• D. Rate of reaction

Answer: (C)

Calorimeters quantify heat flow during a process. The key relationship is q = m c ΔT, where q is the heat exchanged, m is the mass, c is the specific heat capacity, and ΔT is the temperature change. By measuring the temperature change for a known mass (and known heat input, or from a reaction), you can solve for c. So, calorimetry is used to determine how much energy is needed to raise the temperature of a given amount of substance, i.e., its specific heat capacity. Temperature change is what you observe, but from that observation you extract the specific heat capacity.