specific heat capacity

• What is the aim of the investigation?

  To determine specific heat capacity of a solid
• What does specific heat capacity measure?

  Energy required to change temperature of 1kg by 1°C
• How will the specific heat capacity be identified in this practical?

  By heating materials and recording temperature change
• What are the variables in the investigation?

  • Independent variable: Type of material
  • Dependent variable: Temperature rise
  • Control variables: Mass of material, surface area of material
• What is the independent variable in the investigation?

  Type of material
• What is the dependent variable in the investigation?

  Temperature rise
• What are the control variables in the investigation?

  Mass of material, surface area of material
• Why is it important to control variables in this investigation?

  To ensure accurate and reliable results
• Who is conducting the specific heat capacity experiment?

  1. Reese
• What materials are being tested for specific heat capacity?

  Brass, copper, and aluminium
• Why is water added to the setup before taking measurements?

  To eliminate air gap for accurate readings
• What is the duration for recording temperature in the experiment?

  10 minutes
• What is the initial temperature recorded before starting the experiment?

  24 degrees Celsius
• What is the equation for specific heat capacity?

  Energy = mass × specific heat capacity × temperature change
• How is specific heat capacity rearranged in the equation?

  s HC = energy / (mass × temperature change)
• What are the units of specific heat capacity?

  Joules per kilogram per degree Celsius
• Why does the block warm up slowly at first?

  The heater needs to heat up before the block
• What is the mass of the specially made blocks used in the experiment?

  One kilogram
• How is energy calculated in the experiment?

  Using power and time
• How many flashes were counted in 30 seconds during the experiment?

  19 flashes
• How is the energy calculated from the flashes counted?

  19 flashes × 100 joules
• What is the calculated power from the energy measured?

  63 joules per second
• What is the more accurate way to measure power in the experiment?

  Using a voltmeter and ammeter
• What is the current measured during the experiment?

  3.47 amps
• How is power calculated using current and voltage?

  Power = current × voltage
• What is the power calculated from the current and voltage in the experiment?

  34.7 watts
• What is plotted on the y-axis and x-axis of the graph?

  Temperature on y-axis, time on x-axis
• How is specific heat capacity calculated from the graph?

  s HC = (power × time) / (mass × temperature change)
• What is the specific heat capacity calculated for aluminium in the experiment?

  1050 joules per kilogram per degree Celsius
• What is the actual specific heat capacity of aluminium?

  900 joules per kilogram per degree Celsius
• Why is the calculated specific heat capacity higher than the actual value?

  Energy is lost to surroundings during heating
• How can the accuracy of the experiment be improved?

  By insulating the block with foam
• What are the steps to calculate specific heat capacity in the experiment?

  1. Measure initial temperature.
  2. Turn on heater and record temperature every minute.
  3. Calculate energy using power and time.
  4. Plot temperature vs. time on a graph.
  5. Use the linear portion to find temperature change.
  6. Apply the formula: s HC = (power × time) / (mass × temperature change).