Download Specific Heat Lab Experiment Sixteen p

Specific Heat Capacity Lab
Purpose: To determine the identity of an unknown metal by determining its specific heat capacity, “c”
Materials: unknown metal sample, calorimeter, styrofoam cup, water, beaker, hot plate, string, thermometer,
balance
Background: If substances of different temperatures are in contact with each other, heat flows until they reach
the same temperature. The heat lost by one substance will be gained by another substance
For a styrofoam cup filled with water and then placed in a calorimeter, heat lost by a hot sample placed inside
will be gained by the water.
Heat lost by sample = heat gained by water
- mcT = + mcT
where “m” is the mass in kilograms, “c” is the specific heat capacity, and T is the temperature change.
Procedure:
Take appropriate measurements to find the heat gained by the water, + mcT:
Data
Heat gained by water, Q = ____________
To find the specific heat capacity of the unknown sample “c”, the equation Q = mcT is rearranged to solve for
“c”. Write the equation for “c” in letters only, and then show the numerical values for Q, m, and T (For the
metal!!), then your calculated value for “c”:
c=
=
= _______________
From a table of “specific heat capacities” the unknown sample is identified as______________.
Sample 2:
Take appropriate measurements to find the heat gained by the water, + mcT:
Data
Heat gained by water, Q = ____________
To find the specific heat capacity of the unknown sample “c”, the equation Q = mcT is rearranged to solve for
“c”. Write the equation for “c” in letters only, and then show the numerical values for Q, m, and T (For the
metal!!), then your calculated value for “c”:
c=
=
= _______________
From a table of “specific heat capacities” the unknown sample is identified as______________.
Sample Three:
Take appropriate measurements to find the heat gained by the water, + mcT:
Data
Heat gained by water, Q = ____________
To find the specific heat capacity of the unknown sample “c”, the equation Q = mcT is rearranged to solve for
“c”. Write the equation for “c” in letters only, and then show the numerical values for Q, m, and T (For the
metal!!), then your calculated value for “c”:
c=
=
= _______________
From a table of “specific heat capacities” the unknown sample is identified as______________.