English National Curriculum - Science Science
Mission Objectives
Describe the method used to determine the specific heat capacity of a substance
Calculate the specific heat capacity of a substance from experimental data
Evaluate sources of error in the practical procedure
Research and explain an alternative method for calculating specific heat capacity to reduce errors
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Words and meanings to learn
immersion
the action of dipping or completely covering a substance in a liquid
joulemeter
a device used to measure the energy transferred by electricity in a circuit
thermometer
an instrument for measuring the temperature
transfer
to move from one place to another
balance
a device to measure mass
Resources: Class presentation and handout. Optional: equipment to demonstrate an experimental method for calculations of specific heat capacity. Copper block wrapped with insulation with 2 holes for a thermometer and heater, thermometer, pipette to put water in the thermometer hole, 30 W, 12 V heater and power supply, insulation to wrap around the blocks, ammeter and voltmeter, five 4 mm leads and a stop watch or stop clock.
Handout: Students record method for using an ammeter and a voltmeter to calculate the power and then the energy supplied. A table to record results and process to work out energy transferred. Students then use this to plot a graph and calculate gradient to work out the specific heat capacity.
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