specific heat capacity

• What is the specific heat capacity of a substance?

  Energy required to raise 1 kg by 1°C
• What is the procedure to determine the specific heat capacity of vegetable oil?

  1. Place a beaker on a balance and zero it.
  2. Add oil and record its mass.
  3. Insert a thermometer and immersion heater.
  4. Measure the starting temperature.
  5. Wrap the beaker in insulating foam.
  6. Connect a joule meter and power pack.
  7. Leave for 30 minutes to heat.
  8. Record total energy and final temperature.
  9. Calculate specific heat capacity using the formula.
• What was the mass of the oil used in the experiment?

  0.95 kg
• What was the initial temperature of the oil in the experiment?

  20°C
• What was the final temperature of the oil in the experiment?

  75°C
• How much electrical energy passed into the immersion heater?

  87258 Joules
• What is the temperature change of the oil during the experiment?

  55°C
• What is the calculated specific heat capacity of the oil?

  1670 Joules per kg per °C
• What are the main sources of inaccuracies in the specific heat capacity experiment?

  1. Thermal energy loss to the air.
  2. Incomplete energy transfer from the heater.
  3. Incorrect thermometer readings.
  4. Uneven thermal distribution in the oil.
  5. Minor inaccuracies from other sources.
• How can thermal energy loss to the 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 evenly spread through the oil?

  Stir the oil during the experiment
• What is the significance of this practical in exams?

  • It is a required practical.
  • Likely to appear in exam questions.