Calorimetry Practice

Ten calorimetry problems apply the heat-exchange equation to mixtures of water and other substances, with a fully worked answer key.

Updated May 27, 2022

From the author

About this resource

This resource includes 10 practice problems which cover calorimetry calculations that use the formula -mcΔt = mcΔt.

Students are expected to calculate for the following variables:

- temperature

The questions can be edited to meet the needs of your lesson, though it includes answer and solutions to problems presented.

In the classroom

Set up the heat-exchange equation q = -q for two substances reaching thermal equilibrium
Solve for an unknown final temperature given mass, specific heat, and initial temperature of two substances
Solve for an unknown mass or unknown initial temperature by rearranging the same equation
Identify an unknown metal by comparing a calculated specific heat value to known reference values

Model problem 1 using the answer key's algebra steps before assigning the rest, since the key shows exactly which manipulation order is expected
Flag problem 7 (identifying an unknown metal) as the extension/challenge item, since it requires an extra reasoning step beyond straight substitution
Require units on every answer during grading, since the key models unit labels (g, mL, kg, L) throughout
Have students convert mixed units (mL to L, kg to g) before setting up the equation, since several problems combine both

Good to know

Mostly water-based, but at least one problem mixes two non-water substances with no water involved.

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