Get premium membership and access questions with answers, video lessons as well as revision papers.

Describe an experiment to show how electrical method can be used to determine specific heat capacity.

      

Describe an experiment to show how electrical method can be used to determine specific heat capacity.

  

Answers


sharon
a) Specific heat capacity of a solid
In this method, two holes are drilled in the solid to accommodate the heater and thermometer. The solid is heated electrically for a given time. Below is an arrangement that can be used:
42420191232.png
In this method, the following data is recorded:
- Mass of the metal (solid)
- Heater voltage, V
- Heater current, I
- Time (duration) of heating, t
- Initial temperature of the solid
- Final temperature of the solid
The electrical energy lost by the heater is given by; E = VIt
Suppose there is no heat loss to the surroundings, then the heat lost by the heater equal heat gained the solid.
i.e. VIt = mc??
Hence c = VIt/m??
Note
Heat loss is minimized by lagging the calorimeter as well as oiling the holes.

b)Specific heat capacity of a liquid.
42420191234.png
The heat lost by the heater equal the heat gained by the liquid and the calorimeter.
VIt = mc??l + mc??c
Hence cl = (VIt – mc??c)/m??l
sharon kalunda answered the question on April 24, 2019 at 09:35


Next: Describe an experiment to determine the specific heat capacity by the method of mixtures.
Previous: Using a graph discuss the change of state when ice is heated from -20C until it boils.

View More Physics Questions and Answers | Return to Questions Index


Learn High School English on YouTube

Related Questions