Difference between revisions of "GCSE Physics Required Practical: Determining Specific Heat Capacity"
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| + | #[[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]]. | #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 the [[Immersion Heater|immersion heater]] and the [[thermometer]] in holes in the [[metal]] block. | ||
| Line 64: | Line 65: | ||
: Wrap the [[metal]] block a [[Thermal Insulator|thermal insulator]] to reduce the [[Thermal Energy Store|thermal energy]] lost to the [[air]]. | : 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. | : 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]]==== | ====Improving [[Precision]]==== | ||
| Line 83: | Line 85: | ||
|} | |} | ||
| + | #[[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 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]]. | #Connect a [[voltmeter]] in [[Parallel Circuit|parallel]] to the [[Immersion Heater|immersion heater]]. | ||
| Line 97: | Line 100: | ||
: Wrap the [[metal]] block a [[Thermal Insulator|thermal insulator]] to reduce the [[Thermal Energy Store|thermal energy]] lost to the [[air]]. | : 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. | : 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]]==== | ====Improving [[Precision]]==== | ||
| Line 116: | Line 120: | ||
|} | |} | ||
| + | #[[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 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]]. | #Connect a [[voltmeter]] in [[Parallel Circuit|parallel]] to the [[Immersion Heater|immersion heater]]. | ||
| Line 131: | Line 136: | ||
: Wrap the [[metal]] block a [[Thermal Insulator|thermal insulator]] to reduce the [[Thermal Energy Store|thermal energy]] lost to the [[air]]. | : 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. | : 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]]==== | ====Improving [[Precision]]==== | ||
: Use a [[thermometer]] with a higher [[resolution]]. | : Use a [[thermometer]] with a higher [[resolution]]. | ||
: Use a [[Data Logger|data logger]] rather than a [[thermometer]]. | : Use a [[Data Logger|data logger]] rather than a [[thermometer]]. | ||
Revision as of 15:23, 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 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 this graph 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 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 this graph 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 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 this graph 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 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 this graph 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.