specific heat capacity pratical

• What is the first step to investigate specific heat capacities of a solid material?

  Measure the mass of the block and wrap it in an insulating layer.
• Why is it important to wrap the block in an insulating layer?

  To reduce the energy transferred from the block to the surroundings.
• What should you set the potential difference of the power supply to during the experiment?

  10 V
• What happens when the power supply is turned on?

  The current does work on the heater, transferring energy to the heater's thermal energy store.
• How do you measure the temperature of the block during the experiment?

  Use the thermometer to measure the temperature at regular intervals.
• How many readings should you collect during the experiment?

  10 readings
• What formula is used to calculate the power supplied to the heater?

  E = IVt
• How can you calculate the energy transferred to the heater at each temperature reading?

  Use the formula E = Pt, where t is the time in seconds.
• What assumption is made about the energy supplied to the heater?

  All the energy supplied to the heater has been transferred to the block.
• How do you find the specific heat capacity of the material of the block?

  c = gradient/mass of the block
• What can you do to compare the specific heat capacities of different materials?

  Repeat the experiment with different materials.
• How can you improve the accuracy of temperature measurements?

  By putting a small amount of water in the hole with the thermometer.
• Why is water used in the experiment with the thermometer?

  Water is a better thermal conductor than air.
• What is the procedure for investigating specific heat capacities of a solid material?

  1. Measure the mass of the block and insulate it.
  2. Measure the initial temperature and set the power supply to 10 V.
  3. Turn on the power and start the stopwatch.
  4. Measure the temperature at regular intervals.
  5. Collect at least 10 readings and turn off the power supply.
  6. Calculate power and energy transferred using E = IVt and E = Pt.
  7. Plot a graph of energy transferred against temperature.
  8. Find the gradient and calculate specific heat capacity using c = gradient/mass.
  9. Repeat with different materials for comparison.