Specific Heat Capacity

• What is the definition of Specific Heat Capacity?

  Energy needed to raise 1 kg by 1°C
• What are the units for Specific Heat Capacity?

  J/°C/kg
• What is the equation for calculating temperature change when heating a substance?

  ΔE = m c Δ��
• What are the units for Energy, Mass, Specific Heat Capacity, and Temperature in the equation ΔE = m c Δ𝛉?

  Energy (J), Mass (kg), Specific Heat Capacity (J/kg/°C), Temperature (°C)
• How can you calculate the power of a heater if it isn't given?

  Connect in parallel with voltmeter
• Why do metal blocks in the experiment have two holes?

  One for the heater, one for thermometer
• How can you improve the reading of the thermometer in the experiment?

  Add water to improve thermal contact
• How frequently should you record the temperature during the experiment?

  Every 10 minutes
• What graph do you plot with the data from the experiment?

  Temperature against work done by heater
• How do you calculate the work done by the heater?

  Energy = Power of heater x Time
• What should the graph of temperature against work done look like after warming up?

  It should be a linear relationship
• Why may the graph not initially be linear when timing starts?

  There is thermal inertia while warming up
• What does the gradient of the graph represent?

  The inverse of the heat capacity
• How do you obtain the specific heat capacity for the metal?

  Divide inverse of gradient by mass
• What is the difference between heat capacity and specific heat capacity?

  Specific heat capacity is for 1 kg mass
• Why should insulation be wrapped around the metal block?

  To reduce heat loss to the environment
• What safety precautions should be taken during the experiment?

  • Avoid touching the metal
  • Use a heatproof mat
  • Avoid spilling water near power supply