How do you make a simple home calorimeter with no 'fancy' equipment?

Question

How do you make a simple home calorimeter with no 'fancy' equipment?

Answer 1

In order to make a simple home calorimeter with no 'fancy' equipment, you need:

    
• 2 styrofoam cups

    
• a thermometer

    
• water

    
• and a small piece of cardboard.

Steps to make a simple home calorimeter with no 'fancy' equipment:

    
1. Stack the 2 styrofoam cups, and place a measured amount of water inside.

    
2. Use the cardboard disc (or another styrofoam cup) as a cover, and punch a hole through it for the thermometer.

    
3. Now, if the reaction cannot be carried out in the water, then an additional vessel, preferably metal, will have to be submerged in the water.