Technical Engineering College
Energy Department
Course: Fundamentals of Thermodynamics
Class: First year, 2nd semester 2023 - 2024
Name of Experiment:
Specific heat of an unknown metal
Submitted by: Danar Idrees Hassan
Supervisor : Dr. Ziyad
Experiment No: 3
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- EVALUATION
Activity During Experiment & Procedure
Data & Results
Discussion, Conclusion & Answer to the
Questions
Neat and tidy report writing
Overall Mark
Name of Evaluator:
Objective:
Introduction:
Reference point:
Temperature scales:
Equipment Required:
Equipment Set-Up:
Procedure:
“Student must write the procedure in steps
form” Data:
Conclusions & Comments:
Write your notes and discuss the data results.
Background
Measuring the specific heat of an unknown metal is an important
experiment in the field of thermodynamics and materials science. Specific
heat is a property that describes how much energy is required to raise the
temperature of a substance by a certain amount. By determining the
specific heat of a metal, scientists and engineers can better understand its
thermal properties and behavior under different conditions.
To measure the specific heat of an unknown metal, several experimental
techniques can be used. One common method involves heating a sample
of the metal to a known temperature and then immersing it in a
calorimeter containing a known amount of water. By monitoring the
temperature changes of both the metal and the water over time, the
specific heat of the metal can be calculated using the principle of
conservation of energy.
Another approach is to use the method of mixtures, where a known
quantity of the metal at a certain temperature is mixed with a known
quantity of water at a different temperature. By measuring the final
temperature of the mixture and applying the principle of conservation of
energy, the specific heat of the metal can be determined.
Overall, measuring the specific heat of an unknown metal is a valuable
experiment that provides insights into the thermal properties of materials
and contributes to the broader understanding of heat transfer and energy
exchange in various applications.
Pre-Lab Activities
To determine the specific heat capacity of an unknown metal, you
need to perform calorimetry experiments. Here is an outline of the
pre-laboratory activities you could undertake:
1. Research: Begin by researching the specific heat capacities of
common metals to understand what values to expect. This will give
you a ballpark figure to compare your results to.
2. Safety Precautions: Identify the safety precautions needed when
working with hot substances and equipment. Ensure you have the
proper protective gear and know the emergency procedures.
3. Equipment Familiarization: Familiarize yourself with the equipment
you will be using, such as calorimeters, thermometers, and heat
sources. Understand how to operate them safely and accurately.
4. Procedure Review: Read through the experimental procedure
provided to you by your instructor or laboratory manual. Understand
the steps involved and make a list of materials needed.
5. Calculation Practice: Review the calculations involved in
determining specific heat capacity based on the data you will collect
during the experiment. Practice these calculations to ensure you
understand the process.
6. Data Recording: Prepare a data table template where you can
record your observations, measurements, and calculations during the
experiment. This will help you stay organized and ensure accurate data
collection.
By completing these pre-laboratory activities, you will be better
prepared to conduct the experiment to determine the specific heat
capacity of the unknown metal accurately.
Materials Needed
1. Fast-Response thermometer.
2. Basic Calorimeter.
3. Balance.
4. 2 metal objects.
5. Graduated Cylinder.
6. 20 cm Braided Physics String
7. 300 mL Water
8. 1 Towel
Laboratory Experiment :
The purpose of measuring the specific heat of an unknown metal is to
determine the heat capacity of the metal per unit mass. Specific heat is
a key property that describes how much heat energy is required to
raise the temperature of a given mass of a substance by one degree
Celsius (or one Kelvin). By measuring the specific heat of an unknown
metal, one can identify the metal based on its unique thermal
properties. This information is important in various fields such as
materials science, thermodynamics, and in industrial applications
where the identification of metals is necessary for proper functioning
and design of systems.
A. Lab Preparation :
The specific heat of an unknown metal can be determined through a
lab experiment using the method of mixtures. Here's a general outline
of the experimental procedure for measuring the specific heat of an
unknown metal:
Materials and Equipment:
1. Unknown metal sample
2. Balance
3. Thermometer
4. Calorimeter
5. Water
6. Heat source
7. Stopwatch
Procedure:
1. Measure the mass of the unknown metal sample using a balance.
2. Heat the unknown metal sample to a known temperature using a
heat source.
3. Fill the calorimeter with a known mass of water.
4. Measure the initial temperature of the water in the calorimeter
using a thermometer.
5. Transfer the hot metal sample into the water in the calorimeter.
6. Stir the water and monitor the temperature until it reaches thermal
equilibrium.
7. Record the final temperature of the water-metal mixture.
8. Calculate the specific heat of the unknown metal using the formula:
By rearranging the above equation, you can solve for the specific heat
of the unknown metal sample
Remember that it's essential to conduct multiple trials to ensure
accuracy and precision in your measurements. Additionally, handle
hot objects with care to prevent any accidents during the experiment.
B. Equipment Setup
1. Measure and record the mass of one of the metal.
2. Put the piece of metal in the kettles, boil the water to 100
degrees Celsius.
3. Leave the metal object in the boiled water for 10 minutes.
4. Prepare a known quantity (300 ml) of water that is at room
temperature (about 20–25 oC). Measure and record the mass
and the temperature of the water in the calorimeter cup.
5. Take the piece of metal from boiled water and Put it in the
calorimeter water as the Fast-Response thermometer record
tf of water and metal piece after about 5 to 10 minutes.
C. Lab Data/Results
Item Value Final value
M of cup+mass water 159+247g 406g
Mass of water 247g 247g
Mass of metal 250g 250g
First temp of metal 97c 97c
First temp of water 15.8c 15.8c
Final temp o both 22.7c 22.7c
Analysis :
Measuring the specific heat capacity of an unknown metal involves a
experimental method that can help determine the unique heat
capacity of the material. Here is a general outline of how this
experiment can be conducted:
1. Initial setup: Start with gathering all the necessary equipment
needed for the experiment. This typically includes a calorimeter, a
known amount of water, a heating element, a thermometer, and the
unknown metal sample.
2. Initial measurements: Measure the mass of the unknown metal
sample and the mass of water in the calorimeter. Also, measure and
record the initial temperature of the water before adding the metal.
3. Heating phase: Heat the unknown metal sample to a high
temperature using the heating element. Once the metal is sufficiently
heated, quickly transfer it into the calorimeter containing water. Stir
the water and measure the maximum temperature reached.
Calculations :
The specific heat capacity of a substance is the amount of heat
required to raise the temperature of one gram of that substance by
one degree Celsius. To calculate the specific heat capacity of an
unknown metal, you can use the method of mixtures.
Here's how you can do it:
1. Measure the mass of the unknown metal sample (m) using a
balance.
2. Heat the metal sample to a known temperature (T1) using a heater
or burner.
3. Place the heated metal sample in a container of water at a known
initial temperature (T2).
4. Measure the mass of the water in the container (m_water) and its
initial temperature.
5. Allow the metal sample to transfer heat to the water until thermal
equilibrium is reached.
6. Measure the final temperature of the water and the metal sample
(T_final).
7. Calculate the heat gained by the water using the formula: Q =
m_water * c_water * ΔT_water, where c_water is the specific heat
capacity of water (4.186 J/g°C) and ΔT_water is the change in
temperature of the water.
8. Calculate the heat lost by the metal using the formula: Q = m * c *
ΔT_metal, where c is the specific heat capacity of the unknown metal
and ΔT_metal is the change in temperature of the metal.
The formula to use is:
m * c * ΔT_metal = m_water * c_water * ΔT_water
c = (m_water * c_water * ΔT_water) / (m * ΔT_metal)
