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Practical 3.1 Determining The Specific Heat Capacity

This experiment aims to determine the specific heat capacity of a metal block. The metal block is heated in a hot water bath and then quickly transferred to a calorimeter filled with water. The temperature change of the water is measured over time. Using the temperature change, mass of the metal block and water, and the known specific heat of water, the specific heat of the metal can be calculated. The experiment is repeated for multiple metal samples and their specific heats are compared to known values to identify the type of metal. Factors affecting accuracy and safety precautions for handling hot equipment are also discussed.

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158 views3 pages

Practical 3.1 Determining The Specific Heat Capacity

This experiment aims to determine the specific heat capacity of a metal block. The metal block is heated in a hot water bath and then quickly transferred to a calorimeter filled with water. The temperature change of the water is measured over time. Using the temperature change, mass of the metal block and water, and the known specific heat of water, the specific heat of the metal can be calculated. The experiment is repeated for multiple metal samples and their specific heats are compared to known values to identify the type of metal. Factors affecting accuracy and safety precautions for handling hot equipment are also discussed.

Uploaded by

iAlex11
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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COLEGIO INTERNACIONAL - SEK - EL CASTILLO

Departamento de Ciencias
PHYSICS SL/HL
MGL

DETERMINATION OF THE SPECIFIC HEAT CAPACITY OF A


METAL

MATERIALS:
Metal block
Calorimeter
Thermometer
Chronometer

AIM:
This practical is to determine the specific heat capacity of a metal block. There are
different ways to investigate the specific heat capacity of a material. It is important to:
- Record the time accurately.
- Measure and observe the change in temperature and then calculated the energy
transferred

Figure 1. Experimental device used for the determination of the specific heat capacity.

BACKGROUND:
Doing work can add energy to systems or substances. Energy can be added in the form
of heat, Q. The mathematical relationship between energy, Q, and the temperature
change is given by:

Q=m∙ c ∙ ∆ T

Where c is the specific heat capacity of the substance.


For positive temperature changes (Tfinal > Tinitial), energy is added to the substance. On
the other hand, when ΔT is negative, the energy is leaving the substance. Due to
conservation of energy, we can relate temperature changes from one part to the system
to the other:

−Qlost =Qabsorved

METHOD:
COLEGIO INTERNACIONAL - SEK - EL CASTILLO
Departamento de Ciencias
PHYSICS SL/HL
MGL

1. Fill the calorimeter to ¾ full and record the temperature as the initial
temperature in the water.
2. Place the metal sample in a hot water bath (close to a boil) and measure the
temperature. Let the metal to equilibrate for 5-10 minutes. Ask help to
your teacher to do this part of the experiment.
3. Quickly but carefully transfer the metal from the hot water to the
calorimeter.
4. Start data recording of the temperature with time (you can set the data to
be recorded each 30 s).
5. Use the graph Temperature vs Time to find the value of the equilibrium
temperature. Record this temperature as the final temperature of both the
water and the metal sample
6. Repeat the procedure with the second and third metal sample.

RESULTS AND DATA ANALYSIS:


1. Plot the values Temperature vs Time

2. Calculate the change in the temperature for both the water in the calorimeter and the
metal for each sample.

Use a balance to determine:

mass of water =¿134.1g


mass of metal=¿29g

SAMPLE Tfinal (°C) Tinicial (°C) ΔT (°C) m (kg) Δm (kg) t (s) Q (J)
Calorimeter
13 11 2 0.1341kg 0.0001 1126
water
3:53.42
Metal 25 97.8 -84.8 0.029kg 0.0001 -1126

Table 1. Experimental data for time and temperature for each sample

3. Calculate the specific heat c of the metal sample as: −Qlost =Qgain
and Q=mc ∆ T
−1 −1
The specific heat of water is: c water =4.186 J ∙ kg ∙ ° C

1126 J
specific heat capacity , c= =99.02
0.1341∙ 84.8 K ∙ kg

EVALUATION:
Compare your calculated values with the specific heat of different metals (search this
information in Internet) and guess what metal is.
COLEGIO INTERNACIONAL - SEK - EL CASTILLO
Departamento de Ciencias
PHYSICS SL/HL
MGL

Explain some factors that may have caused your calculated values to be inaccurate and
how these factors may have been avoided.

RISK ASSESSMENT
Hazard Consequence Control measures
Do not switch on the heater before it is
placed in the block. Do not touch when
Hot immersion
switched on. Allow time to cool before
heater and metal Burn skin
packing away equipment. Run any burn
block
under cold running water for at least 10
minutes.

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