Core Practical: Investigating Specific Heat Capacity Flashcards

All 6 cards in this deck

State the three measurements needed to calculate the specific heat capacity of water in the core practical.

The mass of the water, the temperature rise (start and end temperatures), and the energy supplied by the heater (joulemeter reading).

What are the steps of the core practical to determine the specific heat capacity of water?

e.g. using $1$ kg of water and an immersion heater

1. Measure the mass of water in an insulated container and record its starting temperature
2. Switch on the heater (joulemeter connected); record the energy supplied and the final temperature
3. Calculate $c = \Delta Q \div (m \times \Delta\theta)$

State two ways the specific heat capacity apparatus could be adapted to improve the procedure.

Add a lid and add lagging/insulation (also: add a stirrer, use a more sensitive/digital thermometer, ensure the heater is fully submerged).

What is the main source of error in the specific heat capacity of water experiment, and its effect on the result?

Energy lost to the surroundings, which makes the calculated specific heat capacity too high.

On a temperature–time graph for ice being heated, what does the flat plateau at $0$ °C show?

The ice is melting — the energy supplied is changing the state, not raising the temperature.

At what temperature does the temperature–time graph for water being heated level off again, and why?

At about $100$ °C, because the water is boiling (changing state to steam).