Question

when a calorimeter is used, no heat is exchanged between the contents of the container and the outside air. If an exothermic reaction is conducted inside a calorimeter filled with water, which of the following statements best describes what occurs during a reaction?

a) The total energy inside the calorimeter is conserved.
b) The thermometer will show a decrease in temperature
c) The water decreases in temperature as the reaction absorbs heat.
d) The potential energy of the reactants is lower than that of the reactants

I know its not c for sure

Answer 1

you're right, it's not C. Can you eliminate any of the other choices as impossible?

You \(know\) it's an exothermic reaction, and you \(know\) that the calorimeter is insulated from the outside air

Answer 2

I dont think it can be B either

Answer 3

@JFraser

Answer 4

you're also right. It's not B either. Since the reaction is \(exothermic\), the thermometer will show an increase in temp. So you've cut down half the options, what's left are A and D

Answer 5

dont think its A either since it would be exothermic the energy would be released not conserved, Am I right? Would it be D?

Answer 6

@JFraser

Answer 7

the \(calorimeter\) is insulated from the outside, but the calorimeter still has 2 separate sections. The inner jacket where the reaction happens and the outer jacket that has the water with the thermometer.

Just because no energy \(escapes\) the calorimeter doesn't mean that energy doesn't move \(within\) the different sections of the calorimeter

Answer 8

Oh i see what you mean! So its A because on D the potential energy from the reactants is greater than the energy of the product not lower. So I think its A

Answer 9

@JFrazer

Answer 10

it is A

Answer 11

Thank you so much!!!! @JFrazer

Answer 12

just FYI, you're spelling it wrong.

It's an "S", not a "Z"