Specific Heat Capacity P1

Question 1

How to investigate the specific heat capacity of a block?

Answer 1

1. Block of material with two holes in it for heater and thermometer.
2. Measure mass of block then wrap in thick insulating layer to reduce energy transferred to surroundings.
3. Measure initial temperature and set potential difference to 10 V turn on power supply and start timer
4. Measure temp every minute making sure the current over ammeter doesn’t change
5. collect about 10 readings turn of power supply.
6. Calculate SHC
7. Repeat using different materials to show comparison on SHC

Question 2

What does the current do when investigating SHC?

Answer 2

Does work on heater transferring electricity to heaters thermal energy store then energy is transferred by heating causing an increased temperature.

Question 3

Explain the multi step procedure to find the SHC

Answer 3

P = VI to get power
E = Pt to get energy
Plot graph
find gradient with is change in temp over change in energy 
SHC = 1 / gradient x mass of the block