Video 1. Assembling a coffee cup calorimeter using a glass thermometer and manual stirring.
Video 2. Assembling a coffee cup calorimeter using a digital thermocouple and magnetic stir bar.
First, make sure that the calorimeter, the stirring rod or stir bar, and the thermometer or thermal probe are clean and dry. Do not use
an organic solvent (such as acetone) to dry the calorimeter, as
organic solvents may dissolve the Styrofoam™.
After assembling the calorimeter as described in the video, and before beginning the experiment, make sure that:
the lid fits tightly
there is a way to measure the temperature of the reaction mixture
there is a way to mix the reaction mixture.
the thermometer or probe is secured (use either a clamp or rubber band if it does not fit snugly in the cork lid) in a position above the stirring mechanism. Failure to position the thermometer correctly could lead to inefficient stirring or a broken glass thermometer.
