Name Period Date

11. Specific Heat

Driving Questions
Some substances take a long time to get hot even though they are receiving the same amount of
energy. If the flow of energy to two different substances with equal mass is the same, why does
one have a higher temperature than the other?

Background
Energy comes in two major classifications, potential and kinetic. Potential energy is stored,
waiting to be released. Once that energy is released, it is set in motion; this is known as kinetic
energy. Heat is one form of kinetic energy. Energy is measured in units of calories (cal) or joules
(J) and describes the total amount of molecular motion in a sample.

Temperature is different from heat. Heat energy is used to increase the temperature of a
substance. Temperature is a measure of the average energy a particle has within a sample.
Some substances require more energy to stimulate motion than others. Specific heat is the
amount of energy required to increase the temperature of 1 gram of a substance by 1 ºC (molar
heat capacity is similar, but for 1 mole of a substance). Different substances require different
amounts of energy to increase temperature, as shown in Table 1 below.

A calorimeter is an apparatus that traps energy inside a closed container. By using the energy
released from a substance to warm surrounding water inside the calorimeter, the amount of
energy transferred can be measured. This is done by comparing the temperature change of both
the water and the substance.

Table 1: Specific heat and molar heat capacity of water and select metals

Specific Heat Molar Heat Capacity

Substance
(J/(g⋅°C)) (J/(mol⋅°C))

Aluminum 0.902 24.3

Copper 0.385 24.5

Gold 0.129 25.4

Iron 0.450 25.1

Lead 0.129 26.7

Nickel 0.444 26.1

Silver 0.235 25.3

Tin 0.228 27.1

Water 4.184 75.3

Zinc 0.386 25.2

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Specific Heat
Materials and Equipment

For each student or group:

♦ Data collection system ♦ Tongs
♦ Fast response temperature sensor ♦ Polystyrene cup (2)
♦ Beaker, 250-mL ♦ Lid for the polystyrene cup
♦ Beaker, 400-mL ♦ Paper towels
♦ Graduated cylinder, 100-mL ♦ Tap water, 250 mL
♦ Balance, centigram ♦ Distilled (deionized) water, 200 mL
♦ Thermometer (or stainless steel temperature sensor) ♦ Metal sample, unknown, up to 4 x 4 x 4 cm
♦ Hot plate

Safety
Add these important safety precautions to your normal laboratory procedures:

♦ Be aware that boiling water and steam can cause painful burns.

♦ Avoid coming in contact with hot equipment and glassware.

Sequencing Challenge
The steps below are part of the Procedure for this lab activity. They are not in the right order. Determine
the proper order and write numbers in the circles that put the steps in the correct sequence.

Transfer the Place a Add 100 mL of Heat the metal in As the metal is
metal to the temperature distilled water to boiling water. being heated in
calorimeter and sensor in the the calorimeter the boiling water,
continue to colorimeter and and find the mass construct the
collect data until start recording of calorimeter calorimeter and
the temperature temperature data. and water find the mass of
stabilizes. together. the empty
calorimeter.

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 Student Inquiry Worksheet
Procedure
After you complete a step (or answer a question), place a check mark in the box () next to that step.

Note: When you see the symbol "�" with a superscripted number following a step, refer to the numbered Tech
Tips listed in the Tech Tips appendix that corresponds to your PASCO data collection system. There you will find
detailed technical instructions for performing that step. Your teacher will provide you with a copy of the
instructions for these operations.

Set Up

1.  Start a new experiment on the data collection system. �

(1.2)

2.  Connect a fast response temperature sensor to the data collection system. �

(2.1)

3.  Create a graph display of Temperature (°C) versus Time (s). �

(7.1.1)

4.  Heat 250 mL of tap water in a 400-mL beaker on a hot plate to boiling.

5.  Construct a simple calorimeter by placing one polystyrene cup into another polystyrene
cup.

Collect Data

6.  Describe the metal sample (color, luster, density).

_________________________________________________________________________________________

7.  Measure the mass of the metal sample and record the value in grams in Table 2 below.

Table 2: Measurements of metal sample, calorimeter and water

Measurement Metal Trial 1 Metal Trial 2

Mass of metal sample (g)

Mass of 250-mL beaker and calorimeter, empty (g)

Mass of 250-mL beaker and calorimeter, with water (g)

Temperature of the boiling water (ºC)

8.  Add the metal to the boiling water and allow it to heat for at least 5 minutes.

9.  While the metal is heating, measure the mass of an empty calorimeter in a 250-mL
beaker and record the value in grams in Table 2 above.

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Specific Heat
10.  Using a 100-mL graduated cylinder, add 100.0 mL distilled water to the calorimeter.

11.  Measure the mass of the beaker and calorimeter with the water and record the value in
grams in Table 2 above.

12.  Why is the mass of the calorimeter determined both with and without water?

________________________________________________________________________________________

13.  Place the fast response temperature sensor into the calorimeter, making sure it is
submerged in the water.

14.  Using a thermometer (or stainless steel temperature sensor), record the temperature of
the boiling water and record the value in degrees Celsius in Table 2 above.

CAUTION: The fast response temperature sensor is not designed for temperatures above 70 °C.

15.  What is the temperature of the metal sample in the boiling water?

________________________________________________________________________________________

16.  While viewing the graph display, start recording data. �

(6.2)

17.  Adjust the scale of the graph. �

(7.1.2)

18.  Allow the temperature to stabilize (remain constant for at least 30 seconds).

19.  With a pair of tongs, remove the metal sample from the boiling water and quickly dry the
metal and the tongs with a paper towel.

CAUTION: The metal will be hot!

20.  Why is it necessary to dry the metal sample before adding it to the calorimeter?

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

21.  Carefully, without splashing any of the water from inside the calorimeter, use the tongs
to add the metal to the calorimeter.

22.  Cover the calorimeter with a lid.

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 Student Inquiry Worksheet
23.  Why must you avoid splashing water out of the calorimeter?

_________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________

24.  After the temperature has reached a maximum and remains constant for at least two
minutes, stop recording data. �
(6.2)

25.  What is the temperature of the metal sample in the calorimeter at the end of the
experiment?

_________________________________________________________________________________________

26.  Name the data run as “metal trial 1”. �

(8.2)

27.  Use the tongs to remove the metal from the calorimeter and dispose of the water.

28.  Repeat the steps in the Collect Data section, recording the values in the second trial
column in Table 2 above.

29.  Name the data run as “metal trial 2”. �

(8.2)

30.  Save your data file and clean up according to the teacher's instructions. �
(11.1)

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Specific Heat
Data Analysis

1.  Use the graph of Temperature (°C) versus Time (s) to determine the final temperature,
initial temperature, and change in temperature (∆T) for the water in the calorimeter.
Follow the steps below to complete this on your data collection system:

a. Display the run of data you want to analyze. �

(7.1.7)

b. Measure the difference between the final temperature and the initial temperature.
When this step is complete, the final temperature, initial temperature, and change in
temperature will be displayed on the screen. �
(9.2)

c. Record the values for each trial in Table 3 below.

Table 3: Temperature changes in the calorimeter

Parameter Trial 1 Trial 2

T final (˚C) of water in the calorimeter

T initial (˚C) of water in the calorimeter

ΔT = T final – T initial (˚C)

2.  Create a graph with both runs of data displayed on your data collection system. �
(7.1.3)

3.  Sketch or print a copy of the graph of Temperature (°C) versus Time (s) for both trials of
data. Label each trial as well as the overall graph, the x-axis, the y-axis, and include
numbers on the axes. �(11.2)

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4.  Calculate the mass of water in the calorimeter for each trial. Record your answers in
Table 4 below.

Table 4: Mass of water in the calorimeter

Parameter Trial 1 Trial 2

Mass of 250-mL beaker and calorimeter, with water (g)

Mass of 250-mL beaker and calorimeter, empty (g)

Mass of the water (g)

5.  Determine the amount of energy in Joules transferred from the metal block to the water
using the information provided below. Show your work in Table 5 below.

q = m × c × ΔT q = energy transferred

m = mass of water in the calorimeter

c = specific heat of water = 4.184 J/(g⋅°C)

∆T = change in temperature in the colorimeter

Table 5: Calculating energy in joules transferred

Parameter Trial 1 Trial 2

Show your
work here

Joules
transferred
(J)

6.  Calculate the temperature change for the metal sample. Record the answer in Table 6
below.

Table 6: Change in temperature of the unknown metal

Parameter Trial 1 Trial 2

T initial (˚C) of the metal (in the boiling water)

T final (˚C) of the metal (in the calorimeter at the end of the
experiment)

ΔT = T initial – T final (˚C)

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Specific Heat
7.  Using the mass of the metal sample, its temperature change, and the number of joules of
energy transferred to the water, calculate the specific heat of the metal sample for each
trial and then find the average of the two trials. Show your work in Table 7 below.

q c = specific heat
c = q = energy transferred
m ⋅ ∆T
m = mass of the unknown metal
∆T = change in temperature of the metal

Table 7: Calculating specific heat

Parameter Trial 1 Trial 2

Show your work here:

Specific heat (J/(g⋅°C))

Average specific heat

(J/(g⋅°C))

Analysis Questions

1. What is the identity of the metal you used in this experiment? (Use Table 1 in the
Background section and the color, luster, and density you described from the question
at the beginning of the Collect Data section of the Procedure.)

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

2. What is the percent error for the experimentally determined specific heat?

( accepted value − experimental value )

percent error × 100
accepted value

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3. Based on the identity of the metal sample and the average specific heat value you
determined, what is its molar heat capacity?

Synthesis Questions
Use available resources to help you answer the following questions.

1. Can other liquids besides water be used in a calorimeter?

_________________________________________________________________________________________

2. What would you need to change in the procedure or calculations when using some
other liquid?

_________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________

3. In what situation would water be unsuitable for calorimetry?

_________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________

4. How can the concept of molar heat capacity help explain why large bodies of water
can dramatically affect local climate?

_________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________

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Specific Heat
5. Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. What is the specific heat of a sample of brass
weighing 11.8 g if it requires 197.1 J to increase its temperature by 44.3 ºC?

6. What is the final temperature if 100.0 mL of water at 10.0 ºC absorbed 1000 J?

Multiple Choice Questions

Select the best answer or completion to each of the questions or incomplete statements below.

1. How many joules are required to increase the temperature of a 30.0 g block of gold
from 25.0 ºC to 50.0 ºC? The specific heat of gold is 0.129 J/(g⋅°C).

A. 4.184 J
B. 96.8 J
C. 193.5 J
D. 3138 J

2. Which of the following describes substances with lower values for specific heat?

A. Better conductors of heat

B. Better insulators of heat
C. Worse conductors of heat
D. None of the above

3. Finding a specific heat of 0.233 J/(g⋅°C) probably indicates a sample of what metal?

A. Aluminum
B. Nickel
C. Silver
D. Tin

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4. What calculation converts specific heat to molar heat capacity?

A. Multiply by the mass of the sample

B. Divide by the mass of the sample
C. Multiply by the molar mass
D. Divide by the molar mass

5. What is the specific heat of iron in cal/(g⋅°C)?

A. 0.108
B. 0.450
C. 1.88
D. None of the above

Key Term Challenge

Fill in the blanks from the list of words in the Key Term Challenge Word Bank.

1. Energy is classified in one of two ways: ____________ (stored energy) and ____________
(energy in motion). ____________ is a form of energy in motion. It is measured in calories or
joules. Heat is a measure of the change in the ____________ amount internal energy in a sample.
Temperature is different from heat. It is measured in units of kelvin or degrees Celsius.
Temperature is the ____________ amount of molecular motion in a sample.

2. Heat energy is used to increase the temperature of a substance. The amount of heat required
to raise the temperature of ________________________ of substance by ________________________
is called the ________________________. For example, one gram of lead requires 0.129 J of energy
to increase its temperature from 24.0 to 25.0 ºC. The amount of heat required to raise the
temperature of one mole of substance by one degree Celsius is called ________________________.

3. The amount of heat transferred can be trapped inside a ________________________. This

device insulates the system being studied from its surroundings. Most often, water is inside the
calorimeter. Because this substance has a specific heat of ________________________, it can
absorb a lot of energy with a ________________________ change in temperature. By measuring
the increase in the temperature of the water, the amount of energy transferred inside the
calorimeter can be determined.

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Specific Heat
Key Term Challenge Word Bank
Paragraph 1 Paragraph 2 Paragraph 3
average 1g 4.184 J/(g⋅°C)
electricity 1 mole 75.3 J/(g⋅°C)
greatest 1000 g beaker
heat 100g calorimeter
kinetic 1º C cup
potential iron large
smallest lead small
strong molar heat capacity thermometer
temperature specific heat
total tin
weak water

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