How to improve the accuracy of a calorimeter experiment? (1 Viewer)

[leesh95]

SO far I have:
Repeat the experiment
Put more insulating material outside the Styrofoam cup that we used
Take extra care while reading the meniscus of the measuring cylinder

Are any of these correct? Can someone tell me some more?
Thanks

 

[Eg155]

yes, also repeating the experiment with the same materials- i.e most importantly the same calorimeter makes it more accurate as it allows you to disgard any discrepancies in the data that could be attributed to errors in the calibration or state of the apparatus in use.

 

[falsenthusiasm]

if this is the experiment I think I did a few days ago, then uhm. The heat can escape the water surface, and its therefore advisable to have a lid to prevent that heat escaping.