Specific Heat Capacity

• The specific heat capacity is the amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of 1 kg of a substance by 1°C.
• $\Delta E =$$mc \Delta Θ$

  • Change in thermal energy (J)
  • Mass (kg)
  • Specific heat capacity (J/kg°C)
  • Temperature change (°C)
• Practical Method

  • To measure the specific heat capacity a block of the substance is needed with a hole for the heater and thermometer
  • Measure the mass of the block and then wrap it in a insulating layer to prevent heat lost to the environment
  • Measure the initial temperature and the and set the power supply to 10 volts, turn on and start a stopwatch
  • The current does work on the heater transfering electric energy to thermal energy
  • Measure the temperature of the block every minute for 10 minutes
  • Repeat with different material to compare specific heat capacity