Specific Heat Capacity

Task 1 - Starter

Which do you think would keep you warmer on a cold night...?

A - 1kg of water, starting at 60°C...?

B - 1kg of aluminium, starting at 60°C...?

C - Both the same...?

Your teacher will ask you to share your ideas with the class, and then

Task 2

The Specific heat capacity tells us the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of 1kg of a substance by 1˚C.  We will carry out a practical task to find the specific heat capacity of water.  We will use an electrical heater to raise the temperature of 100g of water by 15˚C.

Discuss with the person next to you:

• How can we work out the specific heat capacity from the quantities we measure?

(hint: look at the definition of specific heat capacity!)

Task 2

Collect the following apparatus:

• 250ml beaker

• a 100ml measuring cylinder

• a thermometer

• 12V power supply unit

• immersion heater coil

• an ammeter

• a voltmeter or multimeter

• 3 leads

Follow these instructions to carry out the experiment and record all the necessary measurements on this sheet.

Task 3

Pack away your equipment carefully and complete the calculations on your sheet to find the specific heat capacity of water.

The accepted value is 4200 J/Kg/°C.

How does this value compare with the value you calculated?  Discuss with your group any reasons you can think of that your value might be too high or too low.

Write an evaluation explaining any reasons your value may be too high or too low.

Task 4

The formula connecting energy, change in temperature and specific heat capacity is shown below.

Copy the formula into your exercise book and try these calculations.  Higher tier students need to be able to rearrange the formula.

Homework / Extension

Complete these calculations.  Show full working for all problems.