Required practical - Investigating specific heat capacity

Material of the block

Current supplied, I

Potential difference supplied, V

control variables

The amount of energy required to raise the temperature of 1 kg of a substance by 1 °C

Specific heat capacity

J/kg

specific heat capacity unit

1. assembly apparatus

2. Measure initial temperature and mass of the item

3. Turn on power supply and start the stopwatch

4. Measure temperature, potential difference and current every minute

5. Turn off power supply but continue to measure temperature until it falls

6. Calculate specific heat capacity

Method to investigate specific heat capacity

Current

Potential Difference

Temperature

Must be measured every minute in the specific heat capacity investigation

Make sure the voltmeter and ammeter are initially set to zero, to avoid zero error

Systematic Errors

Not all energy transported to item

Incorrectly reading the thermometer

Random errors

Not touching the heater

Keep water away from electrical equipment

Safety precautions in the specific heat capacity investigation