Specific Heat Capacity

Question 1

What is the specific heat capacity of a material?

Answer 1

The amount of energy it takes to increase the temperature of 1kg of that material by 1°c

Question 2

Factors that affect temperature change

Answer 2

-amount of heat supplied to the substance
-mass of the substance
-type of material

Question 3

Specific heat capacity equation

Answer 3

Thermal energy change (J) = mass (kg) x SHC (J/kg°c) x temperature change (°c)

Question 4

Core practical - SHC of water

Answer 4

1) fill a polystyrene cup with water (polystyrene to minimise transfer of thermal energy to the surroundings)
2) record the mass of the water inside the cup
3) place an immersion heater in the water which is connected to a joulemeter which is in turn connected to the mains
4) record the initial temperature of the water
5) turn on the heater and stir the water with the thermometer to ensure it’s evenly heated
6) when the temperature has risen by 30°c, record the joulemeter reading
7) c = (thermal energy change)/ (mass x temperature change)