Thermal Energy Transfer
Core Practicals
Core Practical 12: Calibrating a Thermisto
r
Aim of the Experiment
• To calibrate a thermistor so it can be used as a thermometer
Variables
• Independent variable = temperature (oC)
• Dependent variable = resistance of thermistor (Ω)
• Control variables = Temperature gradient controlled by stirring
Core Practical 12: Calibrating a Thermisto
r
• Set up the equipment with the thermistor immersed in the ice, the ohm-meter
connected to record the resistance of the thermistor by placing it in parallel
across it, and the fixed resistor in series with the thermistor
• Place the beaker of ice onto the tripod, without lighting the Bunsen burner
• Measure and record the temperature and reading on the ohm-meter
• Light the Bunsen burner and keep to a gentle flame
• Stir the ice / water gently at all times to keep the temperature as even as possible
throughout the beaker
• At approximately 5oC intervals record the new temperature and resistance
reading
• Continue until the water is boiling
Analysis
• Plot a graph of resistance against temperature
• Use the temperature graph to find the resistance at a given temperature
Evaluating the Experiment
Systematic Errors:
• Read the thermometer at eye level
• Check the zero error on the ohm-meter by connecting the leads across the
terminals
Random Errors:
• Allow time for the temperature to reach equilibrium
• Stir the water before readings
• Ensure thermometer bulb is completely submerged in the water and level with the
thermistor
• Turn off current between readings to avoid heating in the wires
Core Practical 13: Investigating Specific L
atent Heat
Aims of the Experiment
• To determine the specific latent heat of ice
Variables:
• Independent variable = Energy of the heater (Joulemeter) (J)
• Dependent variable = The temperature, T of the ice/water (°C)
• Control variables:
• Repeat readings with same energy supplied by heater
• Mass of ice in each set up
• Time for experiment in each set up
1.Set up the experiment and the control
• Attach the funnels to retort stands, place the filter paper inside and add a
heater (also on a retort stand) inside one of the funnels
• The heater should not be touching the funnel
• Use a spoon and an electronic balance to measure out 50 g of crushed ice into
a beaker and pour into each funnel
• Add a beaker below each funnel and place on top of an electronic balance
1.Wait until the ice reaches 0 °C.
• This is when it starts to melt and water starts to drip out of both funnels into the
beakers below.
• Check the temperature with a thermometer in each funnel
2.Turn on the heater
• Set the heater to supply 10, 000 Joules of energy to the experiment funnel
3.Wait until the reading on the Joulemeter says 10, 000 J
• Turn the heater off
4.Read and record the mass of each beaker of water on each electronic
balance
5.Repeat the experiment at least 3 times and calculate the average
mass, m for the water in each beaker
• mA = average mass of water in beaker A
• mB = average mass of water in beaker B
1.Calculate the mass of the melted ice and convert into kg
• Δm = mA - mB
• Mass in g ÷ 1000 = Mass in kg
2.Calculate the specific latent heat of fusion of ice to water using the
equation ΔE = LΔm
• ΔE = Energy supplied by the heater = 10, 000 J
• L = Specific latent heat of fusion
• Δm = mass of ice
Analysis of Results
•The results obtained a latent heat of fusion of 330 000 J
•The actual value of the latent heat of fusion for ice is 334 000 J
•The percentage error in this value is = 1.2%
Systematic Errors:
• Make sure you zero the electronic balances when the beakers are empty
• Always check that the ice has reached 0 °C by reading the thermometer at
eye level
Random Errors:
• The heater should be switched off and allowed to cool between readings
• So the rate of heating and the starting temperature of the heater is the same
• Calculate the average mass of the water
• This will reduce random errors in the reading
• Repeat the experiment at least 3 times
