Meaning & use
calorimeter
Last updated
Meaning
nouncountabletechnicalphysics
A device used to measure the heat released or absorbed during a chemical reaction or physical change.
Grammar: Countable: use 'a calorimeter' for one device and 'calorimeters' for more than one.
Patterns
- a calorimeter measures something
- use a calorimeter to do something
- the heat measured by a calorimeter
The students used a calorimeter to find the energy content of a peanut.
A bomb calorimeter measures the heat given off when a substance burns completely.
The lab bought a new calorimeter for the chemistry department.
Word forms
| plural | calorimeters |
|---|
Common combinations
- bomb calorimeter
- A bomb calorimeter is used to measure the energy in food.
- reaction calorimeter
- The reaction calorimeter tracked the heat produced during mixing.
- calorimeter measurement
- The calorimeter measurement showed a small temperature rise.
- use a calorimeter
- Scientists use a calorimeter to study energy changes.
Word family
- calorimetry noun
- The science or method of measuring heat.
- calorimetric adjective
- Relating to the measurement of heat.
Commonly confused: calorimeter or calorimeter?
calorimeter vs calorimeter
Not to be confused with 'calorimeter' (a device for measuring heat) and 'calorimeter' (a device for measuring heat). Actually, learners sometimes confuse 'calorimeter' with 'calorimeter' (same word). The real confusable is 'calorimeter' vs 'calorimeter' — no, they are the same. The correct spelling is 'calorimeter'.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'calorimeter' correctly?
Choose one answer.
A calorimeter measures heat, not length, speed, or color. The other options are incorrect because they describe measurements that a calorimeter cannot perform.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “calorimeter”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.