Q1(d). Thermobalance

Answer in brief

A thermobalance records sample mass during a controlled temperature programme.

Key points

• A sensitive microbalance supports a small sample pan inside a programmable furnace. The balance is protected from direct furnace heat.
• A nearby thermocouple measures sample-region temperature; a controller sets heating rate, holds and cooling steps.
• A controlled inert or reactive purge gas enters and leaves the furnace. Small sample size and a suitable crucible minimise thermal and diffusion gradients.
• The recorder plots mass or percentage mass against temperature/time; the derivative gives DTG. Run an empty-pan baseline and allow for buoyancy and drift.