View source for GCSE Physics Required Practical: Determining Specific Heat Capacity

==Key Stage 4==
{{#ev:youtube|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loeRLKNeUsc}}
===Meaning===
Determining the [[Specific Heat Capacity|specific heat capacity]] of a [[metal]] block.

===Experiment Version 1a: Joulemeter Changing the Temperature===
====Variables====
: [[Independent Variable]]: The [[temperature]] of the [[metal]] block.
: [[Dependent Variable]]: The [[energy]] supplied to the [[metal]] block by [[heating]].
: [[Control Variable]]s: The [[mass]] of the [[metal]] block.

====Method====
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|[[File:RequiredPracticalSHC1.png|center|600px]]
|-
| style="height:20px; width:200px; text-align:center;" |A [[diagram]] of the [[apparatus]] used in an [[experiment]] to find the [[Specific Heat Capacity|specific heat capacity]] of a [[metal]] block.
|}

#[[Measure]] the [[mass]] of the [[metal]] block using an [[Electronic Balance|electronic balance]].
#Attach a [[Joulemeter]] and [[Power Supply|power supply]] to an [[Immersion Heater|immersion heater]].
#Place the [[Immersion Heater|immersion heater]] and the [[thermometer]] in holes in the [[metal]] block.
#Place a drop of [[water]] in the [[thermometer]] hole to ensure [[Thermal Contact|thermal contact]] between the [[thermometer]] and the [[metal]] block.
#[[Reading|Read]] and record the initial [[temperature]] of the [[metal]] block.
#Switch on the [[Power Supply|power supply]].
#Record the [[reading]] on the [[Joulemeter]] with every 2°C increase in [[temperature]] a minimum of 6 times.
#Plot a [[Scatter Graph|scatter graph]] with [[energy]] on the [[y-axis]] and [[temperature]] on the [[x-axis]].
: Given the equation <math>E_T=mc \Delta \theta</math> then the [[gradient]] of the [[Line of Best Fit|line of best fit]] will be the [[mass]] multiplied by the [[Specific Heat Capacity|specific heat capacity]] (mc).

====Improving [[Accuracy]]====
: Place the [[metal]] block on a [[Heatproof Mat|heatproof mat]] to reduce the [[Thermal Energy Store|thermal energy]] lost to the table surface by [[Thermal Conduction|conduction]].
: Wrap the [[metal]] block a [[Thermal Insulator|thermal insulator]] to reduce the [[Thermal Energy Store|thermal energy]] lost to the [[air]].
: Complete the [[experiment]] in [[temperature]] range close to [[Room Temperature|room temperature]] to reduce the rate of [[Energy Transfer|energy transfer]] from the [[metal]] block to the surroundings.
: Place the [[Electronic Balance|electronic balance]] on a flat, level surface to get an [[accurate]] reading of the [[mass]].

====Improving [[Precision]]====
: Use a [[Data Logger|data logger]] rather than a [[thermometer]] to reduce the [[Random Error|random error]] caused by humans mistakes.
: Ensure the immersion heater and block begin at [[Room Temperature|room temperature]] to reduce the error in repeat readings.
: Ensure the thickness and type of [[Thermal Insulator|insulator]] is used for every repeat measurement reduce the error in repeat readings.

===Experiment Version 1b: Joulemeter Changing the Energy===
====Variables====
: [[Independent Variable]]: The [[energy]] supplied to the [[metal]] block by [[heating]].
: [[Dependent Variable]]: The [[temperature]] of the [[metal]] block.
: [[Control Variable]]s: The [[mass]] of the [[metal]] block.

====Method====
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|[[File:RequiredPracticalSHC1.png|center|600px]]
|-
| style="height:20px; width:200px; text-align:center;" |A [[diagram]] of the [[apparatus]] used in an [[experiment]] to find the [[Specific Heat Capacity|specific heat capacity]] of a [[metal]] block.
|}

#[[Measure]] the [[mass]] of the [[metal]] block using an [[Electronic Balance|electronic balance]].
#Attach a [[Joulemeter]] and [[Power Supply|power supply]] to an [[Immersion Heater|immersion heater]].
#Place the [[Immersion Heater|immersion heater]] and the [[thermometer]] in holes in the [[metal]] block.
#Place a drop of [[water]] in the [[thermometer]] hole to ensure [[Thermal Contact|thermal contact]] between the [[thermometer]] and the [[metal]] block.
#[[Reading|Read]] and record the initial [[temperature]] of the [[metal]] block.
#Switch on the [[Power Supply|power supply]].
#Record the [[reading]] on the [[thermometer]] with every 1000J shown on the [[joulemeter]] a minimum of 6 times.
#Plot a [[Scatter Graph|scatter graph]] with [[energy]] on the [[y-axis]] and [[temperature]] on the [[x-axis]].
: Given the equation <math>E_T=mc \Delta \theta</math> then the [[gradient]] of the [[Line of Best Fit|line of best fit]] will be the [[mass]] multiplied by the [[Specific Heat Capacity|specific heat capacity]] (mc).

====Improving [[Accuracy]]====
: Place the [[metal]] block on a [[Heatproof Mat|heatproof mat]] to reduce the [[Thermal Energy Store|thermal energy]] lost to the table surface by [[Thermal Conduction|conduction]].
: Wrap the [[metal]] block a [[Thermal Insulator|thermal insulator]] to reduce the [[Thermal Energy Store|thermal energy]] lost to the [[air]].
: Complete the [[experiment]] in [[temperature]] range close to [[Room Temperature|room temperature]] to reduce the rate of [[Energy Transfer|energy transfer]] from the [[metal]] block to the surroundings.
: Place the [[Electronic Balance|electronic balance]] on a flat, level surface to get an [[accurate]] reading of the [[mass]].

====Improving [[Precision]]====
: Use a [[Data Logger|data logger]] rather than a [[thermometer]] to reduce the [[Random Error|random error]] caused by humans mistakes.
: Ensure the immersion heater and block begin at [[Room Temperature|room temperature]] to reduce the error in repeat readings.
: Ensure the thickness and type of [[Thermal Insulator|insulator]] is used for every repeat measurement reduce the error in repeat readings.

===Experiment Version 2a: Ammeter, Voltmeter and Stopwatch Changing the Temperature===
====Variables====
: [[Independent Variable]]: The [[temperature]] of the [[metal]] block.
: [[Dependent Variable]]: The [[time]] over which [[energy]] is supplied to the [[metal]] block.
: [[Control Variable]]s: The [[mass]] of the [[metal]] block. The [[power]] of the [[Immersion Heater|immersion heater]].

====Method====
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|[[File:RequiredPracticalSHC2.png|center|600px]]
|-
| style="height:20px; width:200px; text-align:center;" |A [[diagram]] of the [[apparatus]] used in an [[experiment]] to find the [[Specific Heat Capacity|specific heat capacity]] of a [[metal]] block.
|}

#[[Measure]] the [[mass]] of the [[metal]] block using an [[Electronic Balance|electronic balance]].
#Connect an [[Ammeter]], [[Power Supply|power supply]] and [[Immersion Heater|immersion heater]] in [[Series Circuit|series]].
#Connect a [[voltmeter]] in [[Parallel Circuit|parallel]] to the [[Immersion Heater|immersion heater]].
#Place the [[Immersion Heater|immersion heater]] and the [[thermometer]] in holes in the [[metal]] block.
#Place a drop of [[water]] in the [[thermometer]] hole to ensure [[Thermal Contact|thermal contact]] between the [[thermometer]] and the [[metal]] block.
#[[Reading|Read]] and record the initial [[temperature]] of the [[metal]] block.
#Switch on the [[Power Supply|power supply]], start a [[stopwatch]] and record the [[reading]]s on the [[Voltmeter]] and [[Ammeter]].#Record the [[time]] on the [[stopwatch]] with every 2°C increase in [[temperature]] a minimum of 6 times.
#Use the equation <math>E = IVt</math> to calculate the [[energy]] supplied to the [[metal]] block.
#Plot a [[Scatter Graph|scatter graph]] with [[energy]] on the [[y-axis]] and [[temperature]] on the [[x-axis]].
: Given the equation <math>E_T=mc \Delta \theta</math> then the [[gradient]] of the [[Line of Best Fit|line of best fit]] will be the [[mass]] multiplied by the [[Specific Heat Capacity|specific heat capacity]] (mc).

====Improving [[Accuracy]]====
: Place the [[metal]] block on a [[Heatproof Mat|heatproof mat]] to reduce the [[Thermal Energy Store|thermal energy]] lost to the table surface by [[Thermal Conduction|conduction]].
: Wrap the [[metal]] block a [[Thermal Insulator|thermal insulator]] to reduce the [[Thermal Energy Store|thermal energy]] lost to the [[air]].
: Complete the [[experiment]] in [[temperature]] range close to [[Room Temperature|room temperature]] to reduce the rate of [[Energy Transfer|energy transfer]] from the [[metal]] block to the surroundings.
: Place the [[Electronic Balance|electronic balance]] on a flat, level surface to get an [[accurate]] reading of the [[mass]].

====Improving [[Precision]]====
: Use a [[Data Logger|data logger]] rather than a [[thermometer]] to reduce the [[Random Error|random error]] caused by humans mistakes.
: Ensure the immersion heater and block begin at [[Room Temperature|room temperature]] to reduce the error in repeat readings.
: Ensure the thickness and type of [[Thermal Insulator|insulator]] is used for every repeat measurement reduce the error in repeat readings.

===Experiment Version 2b: Ammeter, Voltmeter and Stopwatch Changing the Time===
====Variables====
: [[Independent Variable]]: The [[time]] over which [[energy]] is supplied to the [[metal]] block.
: [[Dependent Variable]]: The [[temperature]] of the [[metal]] block.
: [[Control Variable]]s: The [[mass]] of the [[metal]] block. The [[power]] of the [[Immersion Heater|immersion heater]].

====Method====
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|[[File:RequiredPracticalSHC2.png|center|600px]]
|-
| style="height:20px; width:200px; text-align:center;" |A [[diagram]] of the [[apparatus]] used in an [[experiment]] to find the [[Specific Heat Capacity|specific heat capacity]] of a [[metal]] block.
|}

#[[Measure]] the [[mass]] of the [[metal]] block using an [[Electronic Balance|electronic balance]].
#Connect an [[Ammeter]], [[Power Supply|power supply]] and [[Immersion Heater|immersion heater]] in [[Series Circuit|series]].
#Connect a [[voltmeter]] in [[Parallel Circuit|parallel]] to the [[Immersion Heater|immersion heater]].
#Place the [[Immersion Heater|immersion heater]] and the [[thermometer]] in holes in the [[metal]] block.
#Place a drop of [[water]] in the [[thermometer]] hole to ensure [[Thermal Contact|thermal contact]] between the [[thermometer]] and the [[metal]] block.
#[[Reading|Read]] and record the initial [[temperature]] of the [[metal]] block.
#Switch on the [[Power Supply|power supply]], start a [[stopwatch]] and record the [[reading]]s on the [[Voltmeter]] and [[Ammeter]].
#[[Reading|Read]] and record the [[temperature]] on the [[thermometer]] every 30 seconds on the [[stopwatch]] a minimum of 6 times.
#Use the equation <math>E = IVt</math> to calculate the [[energy]] supplied to the [[metal]] block.
#Plot a [[Scatter Graph|scatter graph]] with [[energy]] on the [[y-axis]] and [[temperature]] on the [[x-axis]].
: Given the equation <math>E_T=mc \Delta \theta</math> then the [[gradient]] of the [[Line of Best Fit|line of best fit]] will be the [[mass]] multiplied by the [[Specific Heat Capacity|specific heat capacity]] (mc).

====Improving [[Accuracy]]====
: Place the [[metal]] block on a [[Heatproof Mat|heatproof mat]] to reduce the [[Thermal Energy Store|thermal energy]] lost to the table surface by [[Thermal Conduction|conduction]].
: Wrap the [[metal]] block a [[Thermal Insulator|thermal insulator]] to reduce the [[Thermal Energy Store|thermal energy]] lost to the [[air]].
: Complete the [[experiment]] in [[temperature]] range close to [[Room Temperature|room temperature]] to reduce the rate of [[Energy Transfer|energy transfer]] from the [[metal]] block to the surroundings.
: Place the [[Electronic Balance|electronic balance]] on a flat, level surface to get an [[accurate]] reading of the [[mass]].

====Improving [[Precision]]====
: Use a [[Data Logger|data logger]] rather than a [[thermometer]] to reduce the [[Random Error|random error]] caused by humans mistakes.
: Ensure the immersion heater and block begin at [[Room Temperature|room temperature]] to reduce the error in repeat readings.
: Ensure the thickness and type of [[Thermal Insulator|insulator]] is used for every repeat measurement reduce the error in repeat readings.