Energy changes
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I am doing some coursework on the enthalpy of combustion of alcohols. I am currently trying to work out the change in enthalpy. When I work out the heat given out, can I do:
heat given out = mass x 4.2 x temperature in °C? Or does temperature have to be in Kelvin?
Igloo writes
The temperature to which you are referring is in fact a change in temperature, so it doesn’t matter if the temperatures are measured in °C or in Kelvin.
For example. if the initial temperature is 20 °C (293 K) and the final temperature is 27 °C (300 K), the change in temperature is 7 °C or 7 K (i.e. numerically the same value)
Risk assessment
Before attempting any practical work based on the advice and suggestions on this website, you must do the following. Identify any hazards, assess the risks from these hazards, and then decide appropriate control measures to reduce the risks. You must have these approved by those in authority in your school or college laboratory. Do not rely on what is said on this website.
For further guidance see our tutorial on Risk Assessment.
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updated: 14 December 2006
