Required Practical 1: Specific Heat Capacity

• What is the specific heat capacity of a substance?

  Energy required to raise 1 kg by 1°C
• What is the practical method to determine specific heat capacity of a material?

  • Place a beaker on a balance and zero it
  • Add oil and record its mass
  • Insert thermometer and immersion heater
  • Read starting temperature of oil
  • Wrap beaker in insulating foam
  • Connect a joule meter and power pack
  • Leave setup for 30 minutes
  • Read total energy and final temperature
  • Calculate specific heat capacity using the formula
• What is the formula for calculating change in thermal energy?

  Change in thermal energy = mass × specific heat capacity × temperature change
• What are the main sources of inaccuracies in the specific heat capacity experiment?

  • Thermal energy loss to the air
  • Incomplete energy transfer from heater to oil
  • Incorrect thermometer readings
  • Uneven thermal distribution in oil
• How can thermal energy loss to the air be reduced?

  By using an insulator with lower thermal conductivity
• How can you ensure all thermal energy from the immersion heater passes into the oil?

  Ensure the immersion heater is fully submerged
• What can be done to prevent incorrect thermometer readings?

  Use an electronic temperature probe
• How can thermal energy distribution in the oil be improved?

  By stirring the oil