Specific Heat Capacity Flashcards

Flashcards about Specific Heat Capacity

Specific Heat Capacity

A measure of how much energy is required to raise the temperature of a substance.

Energy Transfer and Temperature

Energy needs to be transferred to the thermal energy store of some materials to increase their temperature.

4200 J

The amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of 1 kg of water by 1 degree Celsius.

139 J

The amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of 1 kg of mercury by 1 degree Celsius.

Energy Storage

Materials that need to gain lots of energy in their thermal energy stores to warm up also release loads of energy when they cool down again.

ΔE = mcΔθ

Equation linking energy transferred to specific heat capacity: ΔE = mcΔθ

Variables in ΔE = mcΔθ

Mass (kg), specific heat capacity (J/kg°C), change in thermal energy (J), temperature change (°C).

Reduce Energy Loss

Wrap in an insulating layer to reduce energy transferred from the block to the surroundings.

Temperature and Current Measurements

As the block heats up take readings of the temperature and current every minute for 10 minutes.

P= VI

Using your readings of the current, and the potential difference of the power supply, you can calculate the power supplied to the heater, using P= VI.

E = Pt

You can calculate how much energy has been transferred to the heater at the time of each temperature reading using the formula E = Pt.

Calculating Specific Heat Capacity

The specific heat capacity of the material of the block is 1 ÷ (gradient x the mass of the block).