Bomb calorimetry of common candy bars: An undergraduate physical chemistry laboratory

CHED 246

Lindell Ward, lward@franklincollege.edu, Department of Chemistry, Franklin College, 101 Branigin Blvd, Franklin, IN 46131 and Steven McCoy, Purdue University.
Bomb calorimetry is arguably one of the most common physical chemistry laboratories performed in the undergraduate curriculum. These studies introduce the analysis of common candy bars, specifically Kit Kat, using bomb calorimetry. Two analysis pathways are investigated, with differing levels of precision. The results show excellent correlation to the Caloric content of the candy, thus giving a "real-world" application to a technique that is often viewed by students as purely academic.