Food Calorimetry: Common Mistakes

What is the primary purpose of food calorimetry?

• To measure the mass of a food item.

• To determine the specific heat capacity of food.

• To calculate the amount of heat energy released by burning food.

• To observe the chemical composition of food.

In a typical food calorimetry experiment, what substance is used to absorb the heat released by the burning food item?

• Air

• A metal can

• Water

• A thermometer

Which equation is used to calculate the amount of heat (Q) absorbed or released by a substance?

• E = mc²

• F = ma

• Q = mcΔT

• PV = nRT

When calculating the heat absorbed by water using the formula Q = m * c * ΔT, which mass should be used for 'm'?

• The mass of the substance releasing heat.

• The mass of the water absorbing heat.

• The combined mass of the substance and the water.

• The mass of the container holding the water.

A calorimetry experiment uses 75 mL of water. What is the mass of this water in grams?

• 7.5 g

• 75 g

• 750 g

• 0.75 g

In an experiment, 50 g of water increases its temperature by 25°C. Given that the specific heat of water is 1 cal/g°C, how much heat (in calories) did the water absorb?

• 25 cal

• 50 cal

• 1250 cal

• 2500 cal

If a substance releases 5000 calories (little c calories) of energy, how many food Calories (big C Calories) does this represent?

• 0.5 Cal

• 5 Cal

• 50 Cal

• 500 Cal