Calorimetry Calculator
Calculate the heat absorbed or released during a temperature change using the calorimetry equation q = mcΔT. Select from common substances or enter a custom specific heat capacity to find energy in joules, kilojoules, calories, and kilocalories.
Calorimetry is the science of measuring heat changes in chemical reactions and physical processes. The fundamental equation q = mcΔT relates the heat transferred (q) to the mass (m), specific heat capacity (c), and change in temperature (ΔT = T_final − T_initial).
When q is positive, the substance absorbs heat (endothermic process), such as ice melting or water boiling. When q is negative, the substance releases heat (exothermic process), such as combustion or freezing. The specific heat capacity is a property unique to each substance — water has an unusually high specific heat (4.184 J/(g·°C)), which is why it is an excellent coolant and temperature buffer.
In laboratory calorimetry, a known mass of water surrounds the reaction vessel (the calorimeter). By measuring the temperature change of the water, chemists can determine the enthalpy change of the reaction. Coffee-cup calorimeters are used for reactions at constant pressure, while bomb calorimeters measure reactions at constant volume, such as combustion reactions used to determine caloric content of foods.