BRAINCAKECalorimetry and Chemical Energy in Biomass
The chemical energy stored in dry biomass can be estimated using calorimetry. A bomb calorimeter gives the most accurate results.
Method: A known mass of dry biomass is placed in a sealed chamber (the bomb) filled with pure oxygen. The chamber sits in a known mass of water inside an insulated container. The sample is ignited electrically and burns completely. The energy released heats the water, which is stirred so that it heats evenly, and the temperature rise is measured.
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More in Energy and Ecosystems
- Producers, Consumers and Decomposers
- Trophic Levels
- Biomass
- Measuring Biomass - Dry Mass
- Gross Primary Production
- Net Primary Production
- NPP = GPP - R
- Net Production of Consumers
All 14 lessons in Energy and Ecosystems · All AQA A-level Biology topics