[IsaacGh]

Hello, new to this forum! I will need to perform food colourimetry for our high school prac, so basically placing a food sample in a crucible under a tripod stand with a beaker of water above it. And then lighting the food so that it burns till it is fully combust. Question is, is there any way (I'm sure there is) to minimise heat loss to the surroundings? I'm stuck with this method as we don't have access to a bomb colorimeter

Alternatively, is there any way to estimate the heat loss to the air?

Hope someone can help me, I've been cracking my head trying to think of viable methods. Appreciate any ideas, Thanks!!

{MOD Edit -- change title}

[Burner]

Firstly, are you referring to calorimetry? Colorimetry is the analytical method to determine concentration of coloured solutions.

Secondly, how will you measure the heat released from the food sample? I assume that you want to measure the temperature rise of water and use it to calculate the change in energy. Then you need to think of ways to prevent the heat loss from evaporation of water and etc..

[IsaacGh]

Hi, yep typo, I was refering to calorimetry. And yes, i plan to intend to use the heat capacity of water to measure the heat released from the food. Thanks

[Arkcon]

OK.  A Styrofoam coffee cup, often doubled up, with an added Styrofoam lid makes a fairly good  calorimeter.  The losses can be determined, and its suitable for mild reactions, like melting ice or the heat of reaction for iron and copper sulfate.  Styrofoam won't let you burn, a foodstuff, to completion.  Just review the diagram -- how will you make these parts, without actually making a bomb calorimeter?

[IsaacGh]

Appreciate the reply! I've thought about the styrofoam cup method, but question is where do you hold the water in that case? Especially if there's a lid on it.

[Arkcon]

For smaller, less heat intensive reactions, the thermometer is in the reaction inside the double coffee cups.

[IsaacGh]

Forgive my 'blurness' so does that mean u measure the temperature of air in the cup?