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Measurement of Specific Heat Capacity

This document discusses several methods for measuring the specific heat capacity of materials: 1. The electrical heating method uses a circuit to heat a liquid or solid and measures temperature change to calculate specific heat. Precise timing, constant current/voltage, and stirring are needed. 2. The method of mixtures combines a hot solid with cold water and measures the final temperature. The heat lost by the solid equals the heat gained by the water. 3. Additional methods include directly heating solids and using a calorimeter to measure temperature changes from heating various materials. All methods apply the principle of energy conservation to calculate specific heat from experimental measurements.

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78 views3 pages

Measurement of Specific Heat Capacity

This document discusses several methods for measuring the specific heat capacity of materials: 1. The electrical heating method uses a circuit to heat a liquid or solid and measures temperature change to calculate specific heat. Precise timing, constant current/voltage, and stirring are needed. 2. The method of mixtures combines a hot solid with cold water and measures the final temperature. The heat lost by the solid equals the heat gained by the water. 3. Additional methods include directly heating solids and using a calorimeter to measure temperature changes from heating various materials. All methods apply the principle of energy conservation to calculate specific heat from experimental measurements.

Uploaded by

abigail.wilson
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 PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Measurement of Specific Heat Capacity

How to determine the Specific heat capacity of metals and liquids by electrical heating.

1. Specific Heat Capacity of Water Experiment - GCSE Physics Required Practical - YouTube
2. Specific Heat Capacity of Water Experiment RESULTS - GCSE Physics Required Practical - YouTube

 Apparatus used to measure the specific heat capacity of a liquid by electrical heating
method.

Note:

1. The duration for which the current flows must be accurately timed.
2. The magnitude of the current and potential difference as indicated by the ammeter and
voltmeter respectively must be constantly checked. (If the current falls, then the variable
resistor must be adjusted to bring it back to its original value).
3. The liquid must be constantly stirred to distribute the heat evenly.
4. The lagging to reduce heat losses must be adequate.

Calculation:

As with other heat exchange processes the principle of Energy conservation applies as follows:

Electrical energy supplied = Heat absorbed by the liquid

𝑷𝒕 = 𝒎𝟏𝒄𝟏∆𝑻

𝑽𝑰𝒕 = 𝒎𝟏𝒄𝟏∆𝑻
The polystyrene container or similar material is used which has very low heat capacity and thus the
energy it absorbs is ignored.

1
Therefore, 𝒄𝟏 can be determined:
𝑽𝑰𝒕
𝒄𝟏 =
𝒎𝟏∆𝑻

 Apparatus used to determine the specific heat capacity of a solid by


electrical heating. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jW2ANwnfsUY

Note:

1. The electrical heater should fit the block snugly


2. Some glycerine or oil should be used in the hole into which the thermometer is inserted.

Calculation:

Energy supplied by heater = Heat absorbed by aluminum block

𝑽𝑰𝒕 = 𝒎𝑨𝒍 × 𝒄𝑨𝒍 × ∆𝑻

Therefore;
𝑽𝑰𝒕
𝒄𝑨𝒍 =
𝒎𝑨𝒍∆𝑻

2
How to determine specific heat capacity by the Method of Mixtures

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gHFaL2990U

 Apparatus used to determine the specific heat capacity using the method of mixture:

Procedure:

First, determine the mass (m1) of the solid. Place the solid in boiling water for about ten minutes.
Quickly transfer it to a polystyrene cup containing a known mass (m2) of cold water initially, at a
temperature T1. Stir the water with solid and note the highest temperature reached. Call this
temperature T2. From the conservation of energy, we can say that:
The heat lost by solid (in cooling from 100oC to T2) = The heat gained by the water (in warming from T1 to T2)

𝒎𝟏𝒄𝟏(𝟏𝟎𝟎 − 𝑻𝟐) = 𝒎𝟐𝒄𝟐(𝑻𝟐 − 𝑻𝟏)

Since m1, m2, T1 and T2 are known, then c1 is easily found if c2 (S.H.C of water) is assumed to be
4200 Jkg-1K-1.

Some precautions that are necessary in this activity are:

1. Quickly transfer the solid to the polystyrene container with water.


2. Avoid adding water as well as the solid.
3. Use a polystyrene cup or similar container of low heat capacity, and good insulating property to
minimize the heat loss to the surroundings.
4. Avoid loss of water by splashing.

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