ABSTRACT
In Chapter 1 the fundamental principles of isothermal calorimetry and the basic
design of modern calorimeters were outlined. It was highlighted there that
modern calorimeters can achieve a high level of sensitivity, are nonspecific in
their operation (i.e., they record all heat flow regardless of source), and can
yield high-quality, quantitative data for a wide range of chemical and physical
processes (1-4). If these advantages are to be exploited to their fullest potential,
it is essential that the calorimeter operator is fully aware of the possible sources of
error in their data, either through poor experimental practice or method develop-
ment and/or poor calibration. It is important that the operator is able to minimize this potential for error and have some means for identifying and correcting sys-
tematic errors, should they be introduced. As calorimetric methods become more
widespread and if the data obtained from calorimetric experiments are to be fully
utilized, it is vital that there is some means of validating data obtained from
different instruments and different operators.
