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Home / GCSE / Physics / AQA / Revision Notes / 1. Energy / 1.1 Energy Changes in a System / 1.1.8 Required Practical: Investigating Specific Heat Capacity

1.1.8 Required Practical: Investigating Specific 1. ENERGY

Heat Capacity
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System
Required Practical 1: Investigating Specific Heat Capacity
1.1.1 Energy Stores &
Aims of the Experiment Transfers

The aim of the experiment is to determine the specific heat capacity of a

substance, by linking the decrease of one energy store (or work done) to the 1.1.2 Examples of Energy
Transfer
increase in temperature and subsequent increase in thermal energy stored

Variables:
1.1.3 Kinetic Energy
Independent variable = Time, t
Dependent variable = Temperature, θ
Control variables: 1.1.4 Gravitational Potential
Material of the block Energy
Current supplied, I
Potential difference supplied, V
1.1.5 Elastic Potential Energy

Equipment List
1.1.6 KE, GPE & EPE

1.1.7 Thermal Energy

1.1.8 Required Practical:

Investigating Specific Heat
Capacity

1.1.9 Changes in Energy

1.1.10 Power

1.1.11 Conservation &

Dissipation of Energy

1.1.12 Wasted Energy

Resolution of measuring equipment:

Thermometer = 1 °C 1.1.13 Conduction of Heat

Stopwatch = 0.01 s
Voltmeter = 0.1 V
1.1.14 Required Practical:
Ammeter = 0.01 A
Investigating Insulation

Method
1.1.15 Efficiency

1.1.16 Improving Efficiency

1.2 National & Global Energy

Resources

2. ELECTRICITY

3. PARTICLE MODEL OF
MATTER

4. ATOMIC STRUCTURE

5. FORCES

Apparatus to investigate the specific heat capacity of the aluminium block

6. WAVES

1. Start by assembling the apparatus, placing the heater into the top of the block
2. Measure the initial temperature of the aluminium block from the thermometer
7. MAGNETISM &
3. Turn on the power supply and start the stopwatch ELECTROMAGNETISM
4. Whilst the power supply is on, the heater will heat up the block. Take several
periodic measurements, eg. every 1 minute of the voltage and current from the
voltmeter and ammeter respectively, calculating an average for each at the end of 8. SPACE PHYSICS
the experiment up to 10 minutes
5. Switch off the power supply, stop the stopwatch and leave the apparatus for
about a minute. The temperature will still rise before it cools
6. Monitor the thermometer and record the final temperature reached for the block

An example table of results might look like this:

Analysis of Results
The thermal energy supplied to the block can be calculated using the equation:

E = IVt

Where:
E = thermal energy, in joules (J)
I = current, in amperes (A)
V = potential difference, in volts (V)
t = time, in seconds (s)

The change in thermal energy is defined by the equation:

ΔE = mcΔθ

Where:
ΔE = change in thermal energy, in joules (J)
m = mass, in kilograms (kg)
c = specific heat capacity, in joules per kilogram per degree Celsius (J/kg °C)
Δθ = change in temperature, in degrees Celsius (°C)

Rearranging for the specific heat capacity, c:

To calculate Δθ:

Δθ = final temperature – initial temperature

To calculate ΔE:

ΔE = IVtf – IVti

Where:
I = average current, in amperes (A)
V = average potential difference (V)
tf = final time, in seconds (s)
ti = initial time, in seconds (s)

These values are then substituted into the specific heat capacity equation to
calculate the specific heat capacity of the aluminium block

Evaluating the Experiment

Systematic Errors:

Make sure the voltmeter and ammeter are initially set to zero, to avoid zero error

Random Errors:

Not all the heat energy supplied from the heater will be transferred to the block,
some will go into the surroundings or heat up the thermometer
This means the measured value of the specific heat capacity is likely to be
higher than what it actually is
To reduce this effect, make sure the block is fully insulated

A joulemeter could be used to calculate energy directly

This would eliminate errors from the voltmeter, ammeter and the stopwatch

Make sure the temperature value is read at eye level from the thermometer, to
avoid parallax error
The experiment can also be repeated with a beaker of water of equal mass, the
water should heat up slower than the aluminium block

Safety Considerations
Make sure never to touch the heater whilst it is on, otherwise, it could burn skin or
set something on fire
Run any burns immediately under cold running water for at least 5 minutes

Allow time for all the equipment, including the heater, wire and block to cool
before packing away the equipment
Keep water away from all electrical equipment
Wear eye protection if using a beaker of hot water

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