rp 1: specific heat capacity

• method rp 1:

  1. place a beaker on a balance & press 0
  2. add oil to beaker & record mass
  3. place thermometer & immersion heater into the oil
  4. read starting temp of the oil
  5. wrap beaker in insulating foam
  6. connect a joulemeter to the immersion heater
  7. leave for 30 mins
  8. read number of joules of energy that passed into the immersion heater & read final temperature of the oil
• specific heat capacity calculation

  change in energy / mass x temperature change
• how should u prevent thermal energy passing out of the beaker into the air?

  use an insulator with a lower thermal conductivity
• how should u prevent not all of the thermal energy passing into the oil?

  ensure that immersion heater is fully submerged
• how should u prevent incorrect reading of the thermometer?

  use an electronic temperature probe
• how should u prevent thermal energy not being spread out throughout the oil?

  stir the oil