GCSE Physics Required Practical: Determining Specific Heat Capacity

Key Stage 4

Meaning

Determining the specific heat capacity of a metal block.

Experiment Version 1a

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.

1. Attach a Joulemeter and power supply to an immersion heater.
2. Place the immersion heater and the thermometer in holes in the metal block.
3. Place a drop of water in the thermometer hole to ensure thermal contact between the thermometer and the metal block.
4. Read and record the initial temperature of the metal block.
5. Switch on the power supply.
6. Record the reading on the Joulemeter with every 2°C increase in temperature.

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.

Improving Precision

Use a thermometer with a higher resolution.

Use a data logger rather than a thermometer.