required practical specific heat capacity

• What is the specific heat capacity of a substance defined as?

  Energy to raise 1 kg by 1°C
• Which substance's specific heat capacity is being determined in the practical?

  Vegetable oil
• What is the first step in the practical to determine the specific heat capacity of vegetable oil?

  Place beaker on balance and zero it
• After zeroing the balance, what is the next step in the experiment?

  Add oil to the beaker
• What two instruments are placed into the oil after recording its mass?

  Thermometer and immersion heater
• What reading is taken after placing the thermometer and immersion heater into the oil?

  The starting temperature of the oil
• What material is used to wrap the beaker and why?

  Insulating foam to reduce thermal energy transfer
• What two devices are connected to the immersion heater?

  Joule meter and power pack
• What does the joule meter measure in this experiment?

  Electrical energy passing into the immersion heater
• How long should the setup be left to allow the temperature to rise?

  Around 30 minutes
• What two readings are recorded after the waiting period?

  Total energy and final temperature
• Why is it important to allow sufficient time for the temperature to rise?

  To get an accurate reading
• Why might the calculated specific heat capacity be inaccurate?

  Due to thermal energy losses
• How can thermal energy loss from the beaker be reduced?

  Using an insulator with lower conductivity
• How can errors from incorrectly reading the thermometer be prevented?

  Use an electronic temperature probe
• How can you ensure all thermal energy from the heater goes into the oil?

  Ensure the immersion heater is fully submerged
• How can uneven heat distribution within the oil be reduced?

  Stirring the oil