Energy Equations RQP- determining specific heat capacity of one or more materials

Question 1

equipment needed

Answer 1

• metal block with two holes
• thermometer
• heater
• power supply
• insulation to wrap around the blocks
• joulemeter
• balance to determine the mass of the blocks
• heatproof mat

Question 2

describe the apparatus

Answer 2

• metal block with heater in middle hole and thermometer in other hole
• metal block wrapped in insulator
• heater connected to power supply which is connected to the ammeter which is connected back to the heater

Question 3

step 1

Answer 3

measure mass of metal block with the balance

Question 4

step 2

Answer 4

zero the joulemeter

Question 5

step 3

Answer 5

take the temperature of the block

Question 6

step 4

Answer 6

turn on the power supply

Question 7

step 5

Answer 7

heat by only 10 degrees to reduce heat loss

Question 8

step 6

Answer 8

turn off the supply and record the highest temperature reached

Question 9

step 7

Answer 9

record the electrical energy input from the joulemeter

Question 10

step 8

Answer 10

calculate specific heat capacity using energy transferred/ mass x temperature change