Thermal energy passed out of the beaker into the air - use an insulator with a lower thermal conductivity
Not all thermal energy passing into the oil - ensure that immersion heater is fully submerged
Incorrect reading of thermometer - use an electronic temperature probe
Thermal energy not being spread through the oil - stir the oil
Specific Heat Capacity part (a)
Start by assembling the apparatus, placing the heater into the top of the block
Measure the initial temperature of the aluminium block from the thermometer
Turn on the power supply and start the stopwatch
Whilst the power supply is on, the heater will heat up the block. Take several periodic measurements, eg. every 1 minute of the voltage and current from the voltmeter and ammeter respectively, calculating an average for each at the end of the experiment up to 10 minutes
Specific Heat Capacity part (b)
5. Switch off the power supply, stop the stopwatch and leave the apparatus for about a minute. The temperature will still rise before it cools
6. Monitor the thermometer and record the final temperature reached for the block
