​

Determining the value of

the mechanical equivalent
of heat by the electrical
method
PHYSICS 2​
EXPERIMENT 3​
Group Members
B y
e d
NAME
n t 6
ID s e 0
re u p
P ro
Arifin Islam Rafih
2
24-57974-
G
MD.Shahariar Nasim 24-59975-
3
​
MD.Fahim Shahriar 24-58588-
2
​
MD.Ahanaf Apon 24-60288-
Contents
1. Theory
2. Appartus
3.Procedure
4.Observations
5.Data Table
6.Recordings
7.Calculations & Error Calculation
8.Result
9.Discussion
10.References
Introduction &
objective​

The experiment is based on the principle of conservation of

energy to determine the value of the mechanical equivalent
of heat (J) using the electrical heating method, where
electrical energy is transformed into thermal energy. The
ratio between these two forms of energy gives us the
mechanical equivalent of heat.
Theory
Energy cannot be created or destroyed; it only changes form. In this experiment,
electrical energy is converted into heat energy.

The quantity of electrical energy used in the system was calculated by

multiplying the voltage (V), current (I), and time (t), expressed as:

Electrical Energy = VIt (in Joules)---- (1)

The amount of heat energy absorbed by the calorimeter and its contents was
calculated using:

Heat energy = (m1S1+m2S2+m3S3)(T2-T1) (in Calories)----(2)

Where,
m1, m2, m3​= masses, S1​, S2​, S3​= specific heats of calorimeter, stirrer, and
water

From equation (1) and (2), we got,

Apparatus

POWER Balance and Weight Stop Connecting thermomet

SUPPLY Box Watch Wires er

Liquid with Joule's Calorimeter

voltmet Ammet Rheost
Known with
er er at
Specific Heatx Heating Coil and
Procedure

1. The calorimeter was cleaned, weighed, and filled with water. The mass of the water
was determined.

2. The heating coil and thermometer were placed in the calorimeter, ensuring the
thermometer bulb didn’t touch the coil.

3. The setup was connected as shown in Figure 1, and the current was adjusted to about
2 A. Voltage, current, and temperature readings were taken every minute while stirring.

4. When the temperature increased by about 8 °C, the current was stopped, and the
final temperature and heating time were recorded.

5. The calorimeter was allowed to cool for the same duration, and the temperature drop
due to radiation was corrected by adding half of this fall to the observed maximum
temperature.
Observation
Mass of the calorimeter, m1 = 71gm

Mass of the stirrer, m2 = 10.0 gm

Mass of the calorimeter and water, m = 214 gm

Mass of water, m3= m-m1 = 143 gm

Specific heat of calorimeter, S1 = 0.0909 calgm-

1°C-1

Specific heat of stirrer, S2 = 0.0089

calgm-1°C-1

Specific heat of calorimeter contents, S3 =1.0000 calgm-

1°C-1
Data Table No. of
Observatio
Time
(min)
Current, I Voltage, V Temperat
(amp) (volt) ure
ns (℃)
1 0 1.72 6 26
2 1 1.72 6 26.2
3 2 1.72 6 26.5
4 3 1.72 6 26.8
5 4 1.72 6 27.2
6 5 1.72 6 28
7 6 1.72 6 29
8 7 1.72 6 29.8
9 8 1.72 6 30
10 9 1.72 6 30.9
11 10 1.72 6 31.2
12 11 1.72 6 32
13 12 1.72 6 33
Recordings
Initial temperature of calorimeter with its contents, T1 =26.0 ℃

Final temperature of calorimeter with its contents, T2 =33.0 ℃

Rise of the temperature, = 7.0 ℃

Temperature after falling to the same length of time, T2' =0 ℃

Radiation correction, Tr=(T2-T2')/2 =16.5 ℃

Corrected rise of temperature, =23.5 ℃

Time during which current is passed, t=12 minutes = 720

seconds

Mean current during the interval, i =1.8 amp

Mean voltage during the interval, V = 6 volts

Calculation & Error Calculation
Result
From the experiment,
the value of mechanical equivalent of heat J = 2.114 Jcal-1

Discussion
1.The experiment was conducted to determine the mechanical equivalent of heat (J) by
the electrical method.
2.A value of J = 2.114 J cal⁻¹ was obtained, showing a 49.66% deviation from the
accepted value of 4.2 J cal⁻¹.
3.The difference was believed to have resulted from heat loss to the surroundings due to
imperfect insulation of the calorimeter.
4.Errors in measuring temperature, voltage, current, or time might have affected the
accuracy.
5.Changes in coil resistance and incomplete correction for radiation loss were also
thought to have influenced the result.
6.Nevertheless, Joule’s principle was verified, as electrical energy was shown to be
converted into heat energy, supporting the law of conservation of energy.
References

⏺ Practical Physics by Dr. Giassuddin Ahmed & Md. Shahabuddin — Experiment 69: To
determine the value of J, the mechanical equivalent of heat by electrical method (Page
no. 433).

⏺ Video Links:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9y0rQ5NAPRE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-FJkMskimw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HCmAL-9V6w
THANK YOU
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Questions