Specific heat capacity

• The specific heat capacity of a material is the amount of energy required to raise temperature of the material by 1d0
• Energy = mass x specific heat capacity x temperature change
• What is the unit for specific heat capacity?

  C
• What is the unit for temperature change?

  0c
• What is the unit for energy?

  J
• What is the unit for mass?

  g/KG
• How can we measure mass?

  by using a top pan balance
• How can we measure temperature?

  by using a thermometer
• How much energy is needed to raise the temperature of a 2kg block of aluminium with a specific heat capacity of 899J/KG 0c from 10 0c to 80 0c?


  Energy = mass x specific heat capacity x temperature change

  2 x 899 x ( 80 - 10 )

  = 125,860J
• How much energy is needed to raise the

  temperature of a 5kg block of aluminium with a

  specific heat capacity of 899 J/kg˚C from 5˚C to

  100˚C ?

  Energy = mass x specific heat capacity x temperature change

  5 x 899 x ( 100 - 5 )

  = 427,025J
• This is a diagram of a specific heat capacity experiment

  
• What is the equation used in s specific heat capacity experiment?

  Energy = mass x SHC x temperature change
• Specific heat capacity = energy/mass x temperature change
• Specific heat capacity = power x time/ mass x temperature change
• What is an error that could happen during a specific heat capacity experiment?

  some thermal energy is transferred to the surroundings so temperature increase not as high as it should be for the

  total energy transferred
• What are the risks of a specific heat capacity experiment?

  Hazard – metal block burns so do not touch it with bare hands
• What is the method of the specific heat capacity?

  1. Set up equipment
  2. Measure the mass of the block using a top pan balance
  3. Take the start temperature of the block using thermometer.
  4. Switch heater on
  5. Measure energy transferred using a joulemeter
  6. Record the temperature every minute for 30mins.
  7. Take end temperature
  8. Calculate the change in temperature
  9. repeat and calculate a mean
  10. calculate power using power = potential difference x current
  11. calculate the energy transferred using energy = power x time
  12. calculate specific heat capacity using SHC = energy/( mass x change in temp )
• How do you calculate specific heat capacity from a graph?

  Gradient = change in y ÷ change in x Heat capacity = 1 ÷ gradient