Physics 106 – Mini-Lab
Specific Heat
(See http://www.physics.rutgers.edu/ugrad/106/labs.html for lab write-up guidelines.)
The goal is to identify a piece of metal from its specific heat. Bring a calculator with you.
At the MSLC desk, ask for the specific heat box. You will need the use of the sink in the
MSLC biology lab and a small microwave oven next to the coffee machine in the main area at
the MSLC.
• Weigh the unknown black metal block on the scale to determine its mass m.
• Fill a styrofoam cup three-quarters full with water, and add the unknown black piece of
metal.
• Using the microwave, bring the cup, with water and block, up to about 60 ◦ C, and take
it out of the microwave oven. Give the metal a chance to reach the same temperature
as the water (about 3 minutes).
• Fill a second styrofoam cup three quarters with water, and weigh the cold water. (Subtract off the weight of the cup so that you are really weighing the water.)
• Measure and record the temperatures of both the cold water and hot water.
• Now use the tongs to transfer the black piece of metal from the hot water into the cold
water, and let it sit for 2-3 minutes, stirring the water very gently with the thermometer,
until it comes into thermal equilibrium.
• Measure and record the final temperature reached by the water and the metal block.
• Values for the “specific heat” C (heat stored per kg per ◦ C) of various materials are
given in the table below. Use the equations below to determine which metal is in the
block. Explain your conclusions.
Heat lost by black metal (in kcal) = Heat gained by cold water (in kcal)
metal
water
mmetal Cmetal (Tinitial
− Tfinal ) = mwater Cwater (Tfinal − Tinitial
)
Substance
Specific heat C
(kcal/kg◦ C)