Required Practical Activity 1

Question 1

Method for investigation to determine the specific heat capacity of one or more materials:

Answer 1

1. Place a beaker on the balance and set the balance to 0
2. Add the oil to the beaker and measure the mass of the oil using the balance
3. Place a thermometer and an immersion heater into the oil
4. Measure the starting temperature of the oil using the thermometer
5. Wrap the beaker in insulating foam to reduce thermal energy transfer to the surroundings
6. Connect a joulemeter and a power pack to the immersion heater (joulemeter tells us how many joules of electrical energy pass into the immersion heater)
7. Time for 30mins - allows the temperature to rise enough to accurately read from the thermometer
8. Measure the number of joules of energy that passed into the immersion heater off the joulemeter
9. Measure the final temperature of the oil using the thermometer
10. Rearrange this formula specific heat capacity (J/kg degrees C) of the oil using formula: change in energy = mass x specific heat capacity x temperature change

Question 2

Diagram for for investigation to determine the specific heat capacity of one or more materials:

Answer 2

Question 3

Sources of inaccuracy and how to solve them when doing an investigation to determine the specific heat capacity of one or more materials:

Answer 3

• thermal energy passing out the beaker into the air
  
  • use an insulator with a lower thermal conductivity
• not all of the thermal energy passing into the oil
  
  • ensure that immersion heater is fully submerged
• incorrect reading of thermometer
  
  • use an electronic temperature probe
• thermal energy may not be spread through the oil
  
  • stir the oil