Abstract
The dissipation of energy in leads used in calorimetry using intermittent electrical heating is considered. The proportion of dissipated energy that reaches the specimen has been calculated in a number of cases. It is shown that, if there is no heat loss from the sides of the wire, half the energy dissipated in electrical leads will flow to the specimen, provided sufficient time is allowed to elapse after switching off the heater. For this to be true it is not necessary to assume that the thermal conductivity and heat capacity of the leads are independent of temperature.