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Chemistry 8 Online
OpenStudy (anonymous):

why is coffee cup calorimeter not in constant volume

OpenStudy (anonymous):

Because it's in contact with a volume reservoir, the atmosphere. If the pressure inside the liquid inside the coffee cup decreases, the constant external pressure will compress the contents into a smaller volume. It's the same reason if you did it in an uninsulated cup, it would not be at constant energy, but rather constant temperature.

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