Chemistry I / Enthalpy and Thermochemistry
Practice question · Multiple choice

Why does a coffee-cup calorimeter measure ΔH\Delta H while a bomb calorimeter measures ΔU\Delta U?

Hints
  1. Ask which variable is held fixed in each apparatus.
  2. Enthalpy equals the heat exchanged at constant pressure; internal energy at constant volume.
Show the answer

D. The coffee cup is open at constant pressure; the bomb is sealed at constant volume

Why

At constant pressure qp=ΔHq_p = \Delta H; at constant volume no expansion work is possible, so qv=ΔUq_v = \Delta U. The apparatus decides which quantity you measure, which is why combustion data often needs converting between the two.

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