You used a calorimeter in the heat transfer lab. Explain how the calorimeter works, and how to calculate the heat given off or absorbed by the reaction being studied.

A calorimeter contains reactants and a substance to absorb the heat absorbed. The initial temperature (before the reaction) of the heat absorbent is measured and then the final temperature (after the reaction) is also measured. The absorbent's specific heat capacity and mass are also known. Given all of this data, the equation:

Q = mcΔT

To find the heat released.