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Physics Lab 17: SHC Aluminium DP PHS/PHH

The document provides instructions for an experiment to determine the specific heat capacity of aluminum. A resistor is used to heat an aluminum cylinder while measuring temperature increases over time. The temperature rise of the cylinder is related to the heat input and the specific heat capacity of aluminum by the formula Q = m * c * ΔT. Students will measure the temperature of the cylinder during heating and after turning off the power supply to account for heat lost to the environment. They are instructed to write a full lab report analyzing and evaluating the results to determine the specific heat capacity of aluminum.

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Radu Pavaloiu
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49 views

Physics Lab 17: SHC Aluminium DP PHS/PHH

The document provides instructions for an experiment to determine the specific heat capacity of aluminum. A resistor is used to heat an aluminum cylinder while measuring temperature increases over time. The temperature rise of the cylinder is related to the heat input and the specific heat capacity of aluminum by the formula Q = m * c * ΔT. Students will measure the temperature of the cylinder during heating and after turning off the power supply to account for heat lost to the environment. They are instructed to write a full lab report analyzing and evaluating the results to determine the specific heat capacity of aluminum.

Uploaded by

Radu Pavaloiu
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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PHYSICS

Purpose:

Lab 17: SHC Aluminium

DP

PHS/PHH

To find the specific heat capacity of aluminium.


Analysis and Evaluation.

A resistor can be used to heat an aluminium cylinder. Therefore a hole is drilled through the cylinder. Then
the resistor is brought in and sealed. By means of two wires it can be connected to a power supply. The rate
at which heat is dissipated in the resistor is given by the formula:

Q / t = P = V I
At the top of the cylinder a hole is
drilled for the thermometer.
The temperature rise, T, of the
cylinder is given by the formula:

Q = m c T
The rate at which the temperature rises
Is given by the formula:

Q / t = m c (T/t)
Since the cylinder is not insulated it will give heat to the environment. To get an impression of how much
heat is given to the environment we will also measure the temperature after switching off the power
supply.

Procedure
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Measure the mass of the cylinder without the resistor.


Adjust the power supply to 10 V without connecting the resistor. Switch it off.
Measure the initial temperature of the cylinder before heating.
Connect the resistor to the power supply (still switched off), ammeter and voltmeter.
At the moment you switch on the power supply you also start the stopwatch. Measure the
temperature each half minute.
Measure the voltage and current during heating.
At the moment the cylinder reaches a temperature of 50 oC keep the stopwatch running but switch
off the power supply. Keep measuring the temperature each half minute for 10 minutes.

Write a full lab report on this experiment and be aware that Analysis and
Evaluation will be assessed (evaluation is optional).
Staple together your assessment sheet, datasheet, this page and your own work.
Hand in on or before:
14 / 01 / 2016

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