Difference between revisions of "GCSE Physics Required Practical: Determining Specific Heat Capacity"
| Line 24: | Line 24: | ||
#Switch on the [[Power Supply|power supply]]. | #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. | #Record the [[reading]] on the [[Joulemeter]] with every 2°C increase in [[temperature]] a minimum of 6 times. | ||
| − | #Plot a [[graph]] with [[energy]] on the [[y-axis]] and [[temperature]] on the [[x-axis]]. | + | #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 | + | : 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]]==== | ====Improving [[Accuracy]]==== | ||
| Line 58: | Line 58: | ||
#Switch on the [[Power Supply|power supply]]. | #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. | #Record the [[reading]] on the [[thermometer]] with every 1000J shown on the [[joulemeter]] a minimum of 6 times. | ||
| − | #Plot a [[graph]] with [[energy]] on the [[y-axis]] and [[temperature]] on the [[x-axis]]. | + | #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 | + | : 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]]==== | ====Improving [[Accuracy]]==== | ||
| Line 93: | Line 93: | ||
#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. | #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. | #Use the equation <math>E = IVt</math> to calculate the [[energy]] supplied to the [[metal]] block. | ||
| − | #Plot a [[graph]] with [[energy]] on the [[y-axis]] and [[temperature]] on the [[x-axis]]. | + | #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 | + | : 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]]==== | ====Improving [[Accuracy]]==== | ||
| Line 129: | Line 129: | ||
#[[Reading|Read]] and record the [[temperature]] on the [[thermometer]] every 30 seconds on the [[stopwatch]] a minimum of 6 times. | #[[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. | #Use the equation <math>E = IVt</math> to calculate the [[energy]] supplied to the [[metal]] block. | ||
| − | #Plot a [[graph]] with [[energy]] on the [[y-axis]] and [[temperature]] on the [[x-axis]]. | + | #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 | + | : 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]]==== | ====Improving [[Accuracy]]==== | ||
Revision as of 15:25, 20 March 2019
Contents
- 1 Key Stage 4
Key Stage 4
Meaning
Determining the 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 Variables: The mass of the metal block.
Method
 |
| A diagram of the apparatus used in an experiment to find the specific heat capacity of a metal block. |
- Measure the mass of the metal block using an electronic balance.
- Attach a Joulemeter and power supply to an immersion heater.
- Place the immersion heater and the thermometer in holes in the metal block.
- Place a drop of water in the thermometer hole to ensure thermal contact between the thermometer and the metal block.
- Read and record the initial temperature of the metal block.
- Switch on the power supply.
- Record the reading on the Joulemeter with every 2°C increase in temperature a minimum of 6 times.
- Plot a scatter graph with energy on the y-axis and temperature on the x-axis.
- Given the equation \(E_T=mc \Delta \theta\) then the gradient of the line of best fit will be the mass multiplied by the specific heat capacity (mc).
Improving Accuracy
- Place the metal block on a heatproof mat to reduce the thermal energy lost to the table surface by conduction.
- Wrap the metal block a thermal insulator to reduce the thermal energy lost to the air.
- Complete the experiment in temperature range close to room temperature to reduce the rate of energy transfer from the metal block to the surroundings.
- Place the electronic balance on a flat, level surface to get an accurate reading of the mass.
Improving Precision
- Use a thermometer with a higher resolution.
- Use a data logger rather than a thermometer.
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 Variables: The mass of the metal block.
Method
|
| A diagram of the apparatus used in an experiment to find the specific heat capacity of a metal block. |
- Measure the mass of the metal block using an electronic balance.
- Attach a Joulemeter and power supply to an immersion heater.
- Place the immersion heater and the thermometer in holes in the metal block.
- Place a drop of water in the thermometer hole to ensure thermal contact between the thermometer and the metal block.
- Read and record the initial temperature of the metal block.
- Switch on the power supply.
- Record the reading on the thermometer with every 1000J shown on the joulemeter a minimum of 6 times.
- Plot a scatter graph with energy on the y-axis and temperature on the x-axis.
- Given the equation \(E_T=mc \Delta \theta\) then the gradient of the line of best fit will be the mass multiplied by the specific heat capacity (mc).
Improving Accuracy
- Place the metal block on a heatproof mat to reduce the thermal energy lost to the table surface by conduction.
- Wrap the metal block a thermal insulator to reduce the thermal energy lost to the air.
- Complete the experiment in temperature range close to room temperature to reduce the rate of energy transfer from the metal block to the surroundings.
- Place the electronic balance on a flat, level surface to get an accurate reading of the mass.
Improving Precision
- Use a thermometer with a higher resolution.
- Use a data logger rather than a thermometer.
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 Variables: The mass of the metal block. The power of the immersion heater.
Method
 |
| A diagram of the apparatus used in an experiment to find the specific heat capacity of a metal block. |
- Measure the mass of the metal block using an electronic balance.
- Connect an Ammeter, power supply and immersion heater in series.
- Connect a voltmeter in parallel to the immersion heater.
- Place the immersion heater and the thermometer in holes in the metal block.
- Place a drop of water in the thermometer hole to ensure thermal contact between the thermometer and the metal block.
- Read and record the initial temperature of the metal block.
- Switch on the power supply, start a stopwatch and record the readings 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 \(E = IVt\) to calculate the energy supplied to the metal block.
- Plot a scatter graph with energy on the y-axis and temperature on the x-axis.
- Given the equation \(E_T=mc \Delta \theta\) then the gradient of the line of best fit will be the mass multiplied by the specific heat capacity (mc).
Improving Accuracy
- Place the metal block on a heatproof mat to reduce the thermal energy lost to the table surface by conduction.
- Wrap the metal block a thermal insulator to reduce the thermal energy lost to the air.
- Complete the experiment in temperature range close to room temperature to reduce the rate of energy transfer from the metal block to the surroundings.
- Place the electronic balance on a flat, level surface to get an accurate reading of the mass.
Improving Precision
- Use a thermometer with a higher resolution.
- Use a data logger rather than a thermometer.
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 Variables: The mass of the metal block. The power of the immersion heater.
Method
|
| A diagram of the apparatus used in an experiment to find the specific heat capacity of a metal block. |
- Measure the mass of the metal block using an electronic balance.
- Connect an Ammeter, power supply and immersion heater in series.
- Connect a voltmeter in parallel to the immersion heater.
- Place the immersion heater and the thermometer in holes in the metal block.
- Place a drop of water in the thermometer hole to ensure thermal contact between the thermometer and the metal block.
- Read and record the initial temperature of the metal block.
- Switch on the power supply, start a stopwatch and record the readings on the Voltmeter and Ammeter.
- Read and record the temperature on the thermometer every 30 seconds on the stopwatch a minimum of 6 times.
- Use the equation \(E = IVt\) to calculate the energy supplied to the metal block.
- Plot a scatter graph with energy on the y-axis and temperature on the x-axis.
- Given the equation \(E_T=mc \Delta \theta\) then the gradient of the line of best fit will be the mass multiplied by the specific heat capacity (mc).
Improving Accuracy
- Place the metal block on a heatproof mat to reduce the thermal energy lost to the table surface by conduction.
- Wrap the metal block a thermal insulator to reduce the thermal energy lost to the air.
- Complete the experiment in temperature range close to room temperature to reduce the rate of energy transfer from the metal block to the surroundings.
- Place the electronic balance on a flat, level surface to get an accurate reading of the mass.
Improving Precision
- Use a thermometer with a higher resolution.
- Use a data logger rather than a thermometer.