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Specific Heat Capacity Lab Experiment

1. The document describes an experiment to determine the specific heat capacity of a metal using the method of mixtures. This method involves heating a metal sample and mixing it with water, then calculating the specific heat capacity using the temperature changes and masses. 2. Key steps of the method include weighing the metal sample, heating it to 500 degrees, quickly transferring it to water and mixing, then measuring the temperature changes to calculate the specific heat capacity using the formula provided. 3. Results would show the masses and initial/final temperatures measured, then specific heat capacity of the metal calculated based on the temperature changes of the metal and water samples.

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607 views4 pages

Specific Heat Capacity Lab Experiment

1. The document describes an experiment to determine the specific heat capacity of a metal using the method of mixtures. This method involves heating a metal sample and mixing it with water, then calculating the specific heat capacity using the temperature changes and masses. 2. Key steps of the method include weighing the metal sample, heating it to 500 degrees, quickly transferring it to water and mixing, then measuring the temperature changes to calculate the specific heat capacity using the formula provided. 3. Results would show the masses and initial/final temperatures measured, then specific heat capacity of the metal calculated based on the temperature changes of the metal and water samples.

Uploaded by

Stephen
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

1

Lab# : 8

Skill: M&M

Topic: Heat transfer

Aim: To find the specific heat capacity of a piece of metal using the method of mixtures.

Related Theory:

Specific heat capacity, c, of a substance is the amount of heat required to raise the
temperature of 1kg of a substance by 1 degree. Each and every substance requires a
different amount of heat to raise its temperature by 1 degree.

The method of mixtures is based on the law of conservation of energy and suggest that
when bodies of different temperatures are mixed, the heat energy lost by one body is the
heat gained by others. In this experiment a heated piece of metal and tap water are
mixed. The heat lost by the heated metal is gained by the tap water and its containers.
The specific heat capacity of the metal, c m, will be calculated from the formula (m c
ΔT) metal = (m c ΔT) water, assuming that the heat is absorbed by the container is
negligible. From the equation, c metal = (m c ΔT) water / (m ΔT) metal

Materials and supplies:

Piece of metal tied to a string (1)

Triple beam balance (1)

Thermometer (1)

Heating pot (1)

Styro-foam cup (1)

Electrical heater (1)

2
Diagram of setup:

Method:
1. Weigh and record the mass of the metal

2. Weigh and record the mass of the empty cup

3. Half fill the cup with tap water and weigh and record its mass

4. Measure and record the temperature of the tap water

5. Heat the metal in the heating pot for about five minutes at about 500 degrees

6. Measure and record the temperature of the heating water of the metal

7. Using the string jerk water free of the metal and quickly transfer it to the water

8. Stir the water gently and record the steady temperature

Results:

Taking measurements: weight

Mass of metal, m m =

Mass of empty cup, m c =

Mass of cup and water, m ( c + w) =

Mass of water, m w = ?

3
Taking measurements: temperature
Initial temperature of water,  1 =

Final temperature of mixture,  f =

Initial temperature of metal,  m =

Temperature change of mixture, T w =  f −  1 = ?

Temperature change of mixture, ΔT m =  m −  f = ?

Calculations:
m w = m ( c + w) − m c =

T w = f − 1 =

ΔT m =  m −  f =

𝑚𝑤 × 𝑐𝑤 × ∆𝑇𝑤
cm = =
𝑚𝑚 × ∆𝑇𝑚

Discussion:

State TWO possible errors.

State TWO precautions.

State how accurate was the experiment.

Explain how the value of specific heat capacity affects thermal conduction.

State TWO applications of specific heat capacity.

State an assumption made in the experiment.

Conclusion
Predict the name of the metal

Reflection:

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