Calorimeter

The calorimeter is an experimental device enabling to perform heat exchange between the bodies and to measure the required quantity of heat (heat *Q* and the temperature *t*). The calorimeter consists of two nested containers. There is air between the walls of the outer and the inner container, which insulates the inner container from the surroundings. To prevent heat conduction between the containers, the inner container is placed on a wooden cross. The containers have lids with holes for the thermometer and the stirrer. The animation is indicating that the calorimeter itself has a heat capacity *C*, which affects the heat exchange during the experiment; its value is determined experimentally. At the beginning of the animation, water is poured into the inner container and immediately the heat exchange happens between the water and the thermometer which displays its current value. Gradually, we can observe the progressive heating of the inner container and its lid, partial heating of the air and finally of the outer container. The temperature measured by thermometer thus goes gently downward together with the heat transfer in the calorimeter until it causes the stabilization. The observed phenomenon is highly accelerated and simplified.