Lab: 8 ORR
Title: Thermal Physics and kinetic theory
Date performed:
Date due:
Aim: To find the specific heat capacity of a metal using the method of mixtures
Apparatus: metal, Styrofoam, cup, water, thermometer, stirrer, triple arm balance, beater, tripod
stand, string, gauze.
Diagram:
Procedure:
1. Find mass of brass solid (mb) using the electronic balance and tie with a string.
2. Lower the metal into a beaker of water gently using the string and allowed to boil for at
least five minutes.
3. Place water into a Styrofoam cup of mass (mw) using the electronic balance.
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4. Record the initial temperature of the liquid in the cup (θ i).
5. Transfer the metal as quickly as possible from the beaker to the Styrofoam cup, stir and
recorded the highest temperature of the liquid after the metal was placed in the
Styrofoam cup (θ2).
6. Repeat the procedure and obtain the average specific heat capacity of the brass solid.
Theory:
The specific heat capacity (c) is defined as the amount of heat energy require to cause a unit
temperature rise from unit mass of the substance.
𝐄𝐇
c =
𝒎𝜟𝑻
c – Specific heat capacity
EH – Heat energy
m- Mass
ΔT – Change in temperature
Results: Arrangement to find specific heat capacity of brass
Mass of ball
Trials (m)/___
Average mass m/g
Initial Initial Initial
Final mass Mass of
mass of Temperature Temperature of
Trials (cup + water) water (𝜟Tw)/___ 𝜟Tb/___
cup of water in water in cup
(m2)/___ (mw)/___
(m1)/___ cup (T2)/____
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(T1)/ ____
1
2
3
Calculations:
Heat Energy absorbed by water = Heat energy given up by brass solid
mw cw ΔTw = mb cb ΔTb
cb =
Trial 1: cb =
Trial 2: cb =
Trial 3: cb =
Precautions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Sources of error:
1.
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2.
Discussion:
1. Name the method used in this experiment to determine specific heat capacity
_______________________________________________________________
2. What is average value calculated for the specific heat capacity of brass?
_______________________________________________________________
3. What conservation law was important to calculate the specific heat capacity of brass?
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
4. Compared to the theoretical specific heat capacity of brass of 375Jkg -1 K-1 was your
value correct?
_______________________________________________________________
5. Suggest why the calculated value varied from the theoretical value.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
Conclusion:
The average specific heat capacity of brass was _____________ using method of
_____________ and applying the Conservation of _______________.
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Mark Scheme: To find the specific heat capacity of a metal using the method of mixtures
CRITERIA TESTED: Observation/ Recording/Reporting
OBSERVATIONS:
a. Units on readings. [U- 2]
RECORDING OF READINGS:
I. TABUALTION:
a. Correct decimal places [Dp-1]
b. AVERAGING [A- 1]
II. DIAGRAM:
Either: LARGE AND WELL- LABELLED
Or: Adequate size (1) and fully labeled (3 marks maximum mark deducted for each significant
label omitted or incorrect) [up to 3] [D-1]
[LD-3]
REPORTING:
I. ORGANIZATION OF REPORT:
a. CONCLUSION ( at the end of report ) which relates to the aim (e.g. specific heat capacity
was) [C- 1]
b. Complete list of apparatus [CL]
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