p1 shc

• 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?

  • Use a beaker on a balance
  • Add the material and record mass
  • Insert thermometer and immersion heater
  • Wrap beaker in insulating foam
  • Connect a joule meter and power pack
  • Measure energy input and final temperature
  • Calculate specific heat capacity using the formula
• What material's specific heat capacity is determined in the practical?

  Vegetable oil
• Why do we wrap the beaker in insulating foam?

  To reduce thermal energy transfer to surroundings
• What device measures the energy passing into the immersion heater?

  Joule meter
• How long should the setup be left to heat the oil?

  About 30 minutes
• What is the equation for change in thermal energy?

  Change in thermal energy = mass × specific heat capacity × temperature change
• If 0.95 kg of oil is heated from 20°C to 75°C, what is the temperature change?

  55°C
• How do you calculate the specific heat capacity of the oil?

  Divide change in thermal energy by mass and temperature change
• What is the specific heat capacity calculated for the oil?

  1,670 J/kg/°C
• What are the main sources of inaccuracies in the specific heat capacity experiment?

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

  Use 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 used to prevent incorrect thermometer readings?

  Use an electronic temperature probe
• How can thermal energy be spread more evenly through the oil?

  Stir the oil
• What should you do if you want to review questions on this practical?

  • Refer to the vision workbook
  • Click on the provided link