Specific heat capacity practical

Energy

What is the independent variable?

Material

What is the dependent variable?

The specific heat capacity

What are the control variables?

Same insulating layer, initial temperature, time taken

Equation for specific heat capacity

ΔE = mcΔθ

What is the first step of this practical?

Use a balance to measure the mass of the copper block in kg.

What is the second step?

Wrap the block in an insulating layer.

What is the third step?

Put the heater into the large hole in the block and the block onto a heatproof mat.

What is the 4th step?

Connect the power pack and ammeter in series and the voltmeter across the power pack.

What is the fifth step?

use a pipette to put a drop of water into the small hole.

What do you put in the small hole after water?

Thermometer and measure the temperature.

What do you do after measuring the temperature?

Switch the power pack to 12V and turn it on.

What do you do after turning on the power pack?

Read and record the voltmeter and ammeter readings - they shouldn’t change during the experiment.

How often should you record temperature?

Every minute for 10 minutes - use a stopclock

What do you do with the results?

Put them in a table. Calculate work done and plot a line of work done against temperature.