Specific Heat Lab
Correct title with group members and assignments…5pts
Member 1(Quartermaster), Member 2 (Scribe), Member 3 (Safety Officer), Member 4 (Sanitation Engineer)
Purpose:
Clearly stated purpose…5pts
To determine the specific heat for copper
Background:
Background is detailed and complete, including calculations to be done…10pts
Energy is dynamic. It is constantly being transferred from one location to another or from one
object to another. When energy travels, it always moves from a location of higher energy to a
location of lower energy. This transfer of energy occurs until the two locations or objects reach
the same temperature. The amount of energy which moves from one object to another depends
on three characteristics of the objects: the mass of each object, the difference in temperature
between the objects, and the specific heat of each object.
The mass of the objects is measured in grams and the change in temperature of an object is
defined by the equation: ΔT= TF-TI
The specific heat of a substance is defined as the amount of energy that one gram of a substance
can absorb before it’s temperature increases by 1°C. The lower the specific heat is for a
substance, the faster the temperature of that substance will rise when it absorbs energy.
The total amount of energy transferred in a thermodynamic process is given by the equation: Q=
SH x m x ΔT
Hypothesis:
Clearly stated hypothesis to be tested…5pts
Our hypothesis is that the specific heat of the copper will be 0.39J.
Materials:
Complete list of materials…5pts
Copper Cylinder
Water
250 mL beaker
Tongs
Hotplate
Thermometer
Graduated cylinder
Styrofoam cup
Balance
Procedures:
Detailed step-by-step procedure, copied from the lab…20pts
1. Record the specific heat of copper from the data table.
2. Add 150 mLs of water to 250 mL beaker.
3. Heat the water to boiling.
4. Weigh the copper to the nearest .1 gram and record in the data table.
5. Using the tongs, place the cylinder into the boiling water and heat for 10 minutes.
6. While the cylinder is heating, carefully measure 50 mLs of water and add it to the Styrofoam
cup.
7. Measure the temperature of the water in the cup & record in the data table as “Water
Temperature”.
8. Measure the temperature of the hot water bath and record for temperature of the cylinder.
9. Using the tongs, remove the cylinder from the hot water bath and place in the Styrofoam cup.
10. Using the thermometer, gently stir the water in the cup and monitor the temperature. Record
the maximum temperature of the shot and water, in the data table.
11. Pour the water out and return the cylinder to your teacher.
Data:
Detailed data table copied from the lab…20pts
Identity of Metal
Mass of Metal
Initial temp. of Water
Initial temp. of Metal
Final temp. of Metal & Water
Mass of Water
Analysis:
Copper
57.5 g
21.3°C
98.4°C
28.6°C
50 mL
Detailed analysis showing the results of all calculations…20pts
1. Calculate the change in temperature for the metal cylinder.
-69.8°C
2. Calculate the change in temperature for the water in the cup.
+7.3°
3. Calculate the change in energy for the water.
1527.7J
4. The heat gained by the water is the same as the heat lost by the metal cylinder.
0.38J
Conclusion:
Compared results to hypothesis and gave %error, but did not accept or reject the hypothesis…5pts
We had a 2.6% error. Our calculated specific heat of copper was .38J, and the accepted specific
heat of copper is .39J.