Specific Heat of Metals

Objective
In this experiment you will use calorimetry and density to identify unknown metals.

Introduction
Heat is a form of energy that is transferred between objects with different temperatures. Heat
always flows from high temperature to low temperature. (When you touch a cold window, it feels
cold because heat is flowing from your hand to the window.)

The amount of heat released or gained by an object (q) depends on the mass of the object (m) and
the change in temperature of the object (∆T ).
q = mcs∆T
In this equation, the proportionality constant cs is called the specific heat capacity and
every substance has a characteristic value. For example, the specific heat capacity of
water is 4.184 J/g⦁◦C. This means that 4.184 J of heat is required to raise the temperature
of 1 g of water by 1 ◦C.
In a calorimetry experiment, heat is transferred from one object to another inside an
insulated container called a calorimeter. For example, when a hot piece of metal (the
system) is submerged in water (the surroundings), the metal cools down while the water
heats up.
Because the calorimeter is insulated, the heat is transferred completely from the system to
the surroundings. Therefore,

qsystem = −qsurroundings ...or for our case... q metal = −q H 2 O

2

The negative sign in the equation indicates that heat is being lost by the metal and gained by the water.

In this experiment, you will determine the specific heat capacities of two different unknown metals by
observing the transfer of heat from a heated piece of metal to a sample of water at room temperature
using the formulas above. By comparing the experimental specific heat capacity to a table of known
values, you should be able to identify the metal.

Materials – read through the procedure to find these! Should have at least 7.

Precautionary Measures:
• Use caution when handling any hot glassware or hot metal.
• Be sure that the cord for the hot plate does not touch the surface of the hot plate.

1
Procedure
Part 1: Specific Heat
___ 1. Using a hot plate, heat about 2500 mL of tap water to a rolling boil in a 400 mL beaker.
Keep an eye on the level of the water bath - add more water if the level gets too low.
While waiting for the water to boil, complete steps 2-5.
___ 2. Obtain an unknown metal and weigh it. Record its mass and appearance.
___ 3. Set up the calorimeter apparatus (Styrofoam cup, lid and thermometer) as demonstrated by
your instructor. Record the mass of the calorimeter.
___ 4. Fill the calorimeter with ~40-50 mL (or enough to cover the metal) of distilled water at room
temperature. Record the mass of the calorimeter with the water.
___ 5. Measure the temperature of the water in the calorimeter. Do not allow any water from the
calorimeter to spatter out.
___ 6. Once the water bath on the hot plate is at a rolling boil, use crucible tongs to GENTLY place
the metal in the hot water. Heat for 3-5 minutes.
___ 7. While the metal heats, measure the temperature of the boiling water. Record this temperature
as the initial temperature of the metal.
___ 8. Use the crucible tongs to remove the metal from the hot water bath. Working quickly, gently
shake off the drops of hot water that are clinging to the metal, and place the metal in the
calorimeter, making sure the metal is completely submerged. (Be careful not to touch the
thermometer with the metal!)
___ 9. Carefully watch the thermometer. Record the highest temperature as the final temp (Tf)
___ 10. Use tongs to remove the metal from the cup and then return it back to the boiling
water bath. While you wait for the metal to reheat, empty your Styrofoam cup, and dry it
thoroughly.
___ 11. Using a 25 mL graduated cylinder, ~5-7 mL of water to the cylinder (must be enough
to fully submerge the metal.) Record volume of water to the tenths place.
___ 12. Add the metal sample by sliding it along the side at an angle to prevent splashing any
water and affecting your measurement. Record volume of water + metal to the tenths place.
___ 13. Pour all water out of the cylinder and dry the metal.
___ 14. Repeat steps 11-13.
___ 15. Acquire a second metal sample. Repeat all steps.
___ 16. Cleanup
a. Dry your glassware (including your calorimeter - don’t throw it away!) and return it to your
station.
b. Dry your benchtop with a paper towel.
Data & Calculations Table – on next page. Make your own OR neatly cut and glue
it into your lab notebook.

Calculations – Helpful information

1. ∆T = Tf – Ti
 Water: Initial and final temperature were recorded directly.
 Metal: Initial temperature of the metal was the same as the boiling water. Final temperature
of the metal was the temperature at thermal equilibrium. This value should be negative!
2. Determining the specific heat of the metal
 q = mcs∆T
 Cs, H2O = 4.184 J/g °C
 qmetal = −q H2O heat lost by the metal = heat gained by the water
3. % error: watch out for the absolute value bars! You should NOT end up with a negative % error!
mass
4. Density =
volume
5. Use Table 1 (below) of known values for density & specific heat to identify your metal(s).
Questions
1. Relative to metals, how does the specific heat of water compare: higher, or lower? Explain
2. If equal masses of tin and aluminum are heated to a temperature of 100°C, which would cause
a more severe burn? Explain.
3. Which do you think gives you a better indication of the identity of an unknown metal sample,
density or specific heat? Why?
Table 1
Specific Heat and Density of Selected Metals

Element Specific Heat (J/g °C) Density (g/mL)

Aluminum 0.900 2.7
Copper 0.385 8.9
Iron 0.449 7.9
Lead 0.129 11.4
Magnesium 1.05 1.7
Tin 0.228 7.3
Zinc 0.388 7.1
Brass 0.380 8.5
Bronze 0.435 7.9

3
Data & Calculations Table
*For those marked with an asterisk, clearly label & show work to the side/below table.

Metal 1 Metal 2
Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 1 Trial 2
Part 1: Calorimetry
Mass of calorimeter

Mass of calorimeter & H2O

mwater
mmetal
Qualitative observations of
metal
Ti (H2O)
Ti (metal)

Tf (H2O and metal)

∆TH2O

∆Tmetal
*Water’s Energy Change
(q H2O)
Metal’s Energy Change
(qmetal)
*Specific Heat for metal
cs, metal
Average cs, metal
% error for specific heat (cs)

|experimentalknown
value−known value
value |∙100 %
Part 2: Density
Volume of H2O
Volume of metal + H2O
Volume of metal
*Density of metal
Average density of metal

Identity of metal