Specific heat capacity of a metal by the method of mixtures

Drop a hot metal block into cool water, measure the final temperature and work out the specific heat capacity of the metal.

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Objectives

  • Apply the principle of calorimetry.
  • Measure small temperature changes accurately.
  • Calculate a specific heat capacity.

Theory

When a hot body is placed in a cooler liquid and no heat escapes, heat lost by the hot body = heat gained by the liquid and its container. m(metal) × c(metal) × (T_hot − T_final) = [m(water) × 4.2 + C] × (T_final − T_water) where 4.2 J/g°C is the specific heat capacity of water and C = 40 J/°C is the heat capacity of this calorimeter and stirrer. Everything except c(metal) is measured, so it can be calculated.

m₁c₁(T₁ − T) = (m₂c₂ + C)(T − T₂)

Procedure

  1. Heat the block to 100 °C in boiling water, transfer it and read the final temperature.
  2. Repeat with at least three different masses of metal.
  3. Calculate the specific heat capacity from each reading and take the average.

Precautions

  • Transfer the block quickly so it does not cool in the air.
  • Stir gently and read the highest temperature reached.
  • Keep the lid on the calorimeter.
Subject
Physics
Grade
10–12
Chapter
Heat (Nepal National Curriculum (CDC), grade 10)
Difficulty
Hard
Duration
30 min
Safety level
Low
Version
1.0

Apparatus

  • Copper calorimeter with stirrer and lid
  • Digital thermometer
  • Balance
  • Metal block
  • Boiling water bath

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