Calorimetry

by Dean J. Campbell* *Bradley University, Peoria, Illinois

There has always been something I have loved about calorimetry. Waiting for that transfer of energy within the system to match my prediction while simultaneously trying to prevent this invisible stuff from escaping is a fun challenge. Trying to teach it can be a fun challenge as well.

Here is something to ponder as you think about your lab experiences this year:  I have been using an excellent inquiry lab for the past few years.  I think it does a fabulous job guiding the students through the amazing (yet often dull to students) world of specific heat equations and learning about calorimetry.  However, this semester, I returned to