SHC - Physics

Question 1

How to determine the specific heat capacity of a material

Answer 1

1. Place a beaker on a balance and press zero
2. Add oil to the beaker and record the mass of the oil
3. Place a thermometer and an immersion heater into the oil
4. Read the starting temperature of the oil
5. Wrap the beaker in insulating foam
6. Connect a joulmeter and a power pack to the immersion heater
7. Leave this setup for 30 mins
8. Read the total number of joules of energy that passed into the immersion heater
9. Read the final temperature of the oil

Question 2

why should we wrap the beaker in insulating foam

Answer 2

to reduce thermal energy transfer to surroundings

Question 3

what do joulemeters do

Answer 3

tells us how many joules of electrical energy pass into the immersion heater

Question 4

why do we leave the setup for 30 minutes

Answer 4

to allow the temperature to rise enough so we can accurately read on he thermometer

Question 5

specific heat capacity equation

Answer 5

specific heat = change in thermal energy / mass x temperature change

Question 6

problems that could occur during experiment

Answer 6

• thermal energy could pass out of the beaker into the air
• not all of the thermal energy from the immersion heater may pass into the oil
• incorrect reading of thermometer
• thermal energy may not spread through the oil

Question 7

how can we solve these problems

Answer 7

• use an insulator with a lower thermal conductivity
• ensure the immersion heater is fully submerged
• use an electronic temperature probe
• stir the oil