Theme 4: Staying Cool
Aim: To determine the specific heat capacity of Copper,
Aluminium and water.
OBJECTIVE: In this activity, you will determine the specific
heat capacity of Copper, Aluminium and water.
Focus Questions
Why does heat flows from one
body to another?
Do all substances heat up at the
same rate?
What factors affect heat capacity for a substance?
Which of the above substances do you think has the
highest specific heat capacity?
Is the value of the specific heat capacity of water
responsible for land breezes, sea breezes and the
weather?
Would you investigate a temperature change of 15°C or
one of 40 °C. Why?
What would you think will happen as the temperature of the
block rises?
Safety
Make sure holes in blocks have got oil in them.
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Date: ____________
Theme 4: Staying Cool
Aim: To determine the specific heat capacity of Copper,
Aluminium and water.
Apparatus: Container, thermometer, water, power supply,
stopwatch, oil, 1 kg aluminium block, 1 kg copper block, 12 V
immersion heater 50 W, digital balance.
Sources of error and precautions –
Method
1. Some water is poured into the calorimeter. The
thermometer is inserted into the water and the initial
temperature is observed and noted. The heater is
connected to the Joule meter and to the power supply.
2. The heater is switched on simultaneously with the
stopwatch. The water is stirred continuously until the
temperature increased by about 15 'C. Then the stopwatch
is stopped and the time recorded.
3. The heater and thermometer are inserted into their
respective holes in the aluminium block. The thermometer
hole is filled with oil to provide good thermal contact.
Insulation is tied around the block in order to minimise
heat losses. The initial temperature of the block is
recorded.
4. The heater is connected to the power supply. It is then
switched on simultaneously with the stopwatch. After the
temperature increased by about 15 'C, the stopwatchand
heater are switched off and the time was noted. Continue to
monitor the temperature until it begins to fall. Note the
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maximum temperature reached by the block.
5. Procedure 3 and 4 is again repeated, this time using the
copper block.
Results:
c=
Q
m T
=
heat energy supplied
mass x temperature change
Table 1 – SHC water
Mass of water (m)
Temperature of water before heating
Temperature of water after heating
Rise in temperature of water
Time taken
Power of heater
Energy used = Power x time
kg
o
C
o
C
o
C
( )
s
w
J
Specific heat capacity of water =
J / (kg oC)
Table 2 – SHC Aluminium and copper
Block
Mass of water (m)
Temperature of water before
heating
Temperature of water after
heating
Rise in temperature of water
Time taken
Power of heater
Energy used = Power x time
Aluminium
kg
o
C
kg
o
C
o
o
o
o
s
w
s
w
J
J
J / (kg oC)
J / (kg oC)
C
( )
Copper
C
C
C
Specific heat capacity of water =
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Discussion :
1. Make a diagram of your apparatus setup.
2. Why do you think it is a good practice to allow the heater
to warm up before putting it in the water?
3. Why do we need to stir water ?
4. Why do we need lagging around the blocks?
5. Why will your result for this experiment not be very
accurate?
6. Why should you stir the water?
7. Why would it not be a good idea to get the water or
aluminium too hot?
8. For comparison purposes, the following standard densities
are provided:
Substance
specific heat in
SI system –J/kg C
Copper
386
Aluminium
900
Water
4190
9. How well your experimental results compare with the
theoretical results?
10. Can you identify problems that may have led up to these
results?
.
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