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Specific Heat Capacity E.M. Experiment #11

This document describes an experiment conducted by Kamara Lewis to determine the specific heat capacity of an unknown liquid, X, using an electrical method. The experiment involves heating equal masses of water and liquid X using an electric heater submerged in a copper calorimeter. The temperature change of each liquid is measured after a set time and voltage to calculate their specific heat capacities. It is hypothesized that the specific heat capacity of liquid X will be higher than that of water. The apparatus used includes an electric heater, calorimeter, thermometer, and equipment to control and measure voltage and current.

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Kamara Lewis
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312 views4 pages

Specific Heat Capacity E.M. Experiment #11

This document describes an experiment conducted by Kamara Lewis to determine the specific heat capacity of an unknown liquid, X, using an electrical method. The experiment involves heating equal masses of water and liquid X using an electric heater submerged in a copper calorimeter. The temperature change of each liquid is measured after a set time and voltage to calculate their specific heat capacities. It is hypothesized that the specific heat capacity of liquid X will be higher than that of water. The apparatus used includes an electric heater, calorimeter, thermometer, and equipment to control and measure voltage and current.

Uploaded by

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

5-C
Experiment #11
Topic: Specific Heat Capacity using the Electrical Method

Problem Statement
Billy and his friends enter the Physics lab. and their teacher gives them two liquids: water and an
unknown liquid X. They notice that when heat is applied to both liquids, liquid X required more heat
energy than the water for a particular temperature change in a certain time. To determine the specific
heat capacity of liquid X, they have been provided with electrical equipment available in their school’s
laboratory.

Hypothesis
The specific heat capacity of the unknown liquid, Liquid X will be higher than that of the water.
Aim
To investigate the specific heat capacity of liquid X using the electric method.

Apparatus
Liquid X, Ammeter, Voltmeter, Power Supply, Electric Heater, Electronic Scale, Copper Calorimeter,
Calorimeter, Styrofoam, Stirrer, Measuring Cylinder, Stopwatch, switch, Thermometer

Diagram
DIAGRAM SHOWING APPARATUS FOR DETERMING SPECIFIC HEAT CAPACITY OF
LIQUID X USING ELECTRICAL METHOD
Method
1. Gather all the materials and apparatus needed for the experiment.
2. Using the electronic scale measure mass of copper calorimeter.
3. Measure 200 ml of liquid X using a measuring cylinder.
4. Measure mass of both the liquid X and copper calorimeter.
5. Determine and tabulate the mass of liquid X by subtracting the mass of the copper calorimeter
found from the mass of both the liquid and copper calorimeter.
6. Put the copper calorimeter containing the liquid inside the Styrofoam calorimeter.
7. Close the Styrofoam container by placing a lid over it.
8. Puncture three holes in the Styrofoam container to allow the stirrer, thermometer and electric
heater to be inserted.
9. Using thermometer measure and record temperature of liquid X as initial temp.
10. Place the electric heater inside one of the holes of the Styrofoam lid.
11. Attach electric heater to calorimeter in series.
12. Attach voltmeter and ammeter to the circuit. Turn on and adjust electric heater until voltage is
20V. Measure current of circuit.
13. Regularly stir liquid X.
14. After 20 minutes, measure and record final temperature of liquid X in calorimeter as final
temperature. Determine and record change in temperature as ∆𝑇.
15. Calculate power using formula 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 (𝑊) = 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 (𝑉) × 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡(𝐼).
16. Calculate the specific heat capacity of liquid X using formula below:
E = m x c x ∆t V x I x ∆t
= m x c x ∆t
V × I × ∆t
c =
m × ∆T

17. Repeat steps 2-16 for second test.


18. Record results.

Variables
Independent – substance of which the specific heat capacity is to be determined
Dependent – The final temperature of liquid X
Controlled – Volume of liquid X, time being heated, voltage of electric heater

Precautions
1. Ensure to stir the liquid while its being heated so that the thermal energy will be uniformly
spread out
2. Ensure that calorimeter is cleaned of any substance that may have previously been inside it.

Expected Results

TABLE SHOWING THE RESULTS OBTAINED FROM EXPERIMENT


Trials 1 2
Volume of liquid X
Mass of Copper Calorimeter(kg)
Mass of liquid (℃)
Initial Temperature (℃)
Final Temperature (℃)
Change in Temperature of liquid X (℃)
Voltage (V)
Current (I)
Time (s)

It is expected that after conducting the experiment, the specific heat capacity of the liquid X, is higher
than 4200JKg-1K -1, the specific heat capacity for water, then the hypothesis is correct. Otherwise, the
hypothesis is incorrect.
EXPT. # 11 – SPECIFIC HEAT CAPACITY – ELECTRICAL METHOD.
SKILL: P/D
Total Awarded
(a) Hypothesis 2
(b) Aim 1
(c) Apparatus 1
(d) Method 2
(e) Control Variable 1
(f) Precautions/Assumptions/Possible 1
Sources of Error
(g) Expected Results 2
TOTAL 10

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