Eleazar, Djamir*

Fernandez, Patrick
Francisco, Raisa

Gestopa, Micah
Hizon, Alyssa
Ibale, Inah

Group 3
2D-PH

February 24 2014
March 3, 2014

EXPERIMENT # 7
SPECIFIC HEAT OF METALS
Abstract
The specific heat is the amount of heat per unit mass required to raise the temperature by
one degree Celsius. In this experiment the specific heat of a metal was calculated using a
calorimeter and was compared to the standard value given. The experiment was performed by
boiling the sample metal in a water up to 99 oC, then immersing it into the calorimeter with a
known mass of water at a low initial temperature. All the data obtained are used to calculate for
the experimental specific heat of the sample metal. After computing, percentage error was
calculated to know the accuracy of the performed experiment.
Question and Answer:
1. Define the following:
a. Heat is an energy that is transferred from one body to another as the result of a difference in
temperature.
b. Heat capacity heat capacity, ratio of heat absorbed by a material to the temperature change.
It is usually expressed as calories per degree in terms of the actual amount of material being
considered, most commonly a mole (the molecular weight in grams). The heat capacity in
calories per gram is called specific heat. The definition of the calorie is based on the specific heat
of water, defined as one calorie per degree Celsius.
2. Why is it desirable to have the water a few degrees colder than the room temperature when the
initial temperature is taken?
From the Second Law of Thermodynamics, heat flows from hotter to colder objects. Water needs
to be a few degrees colder than the room temperature so that the heat will flow in to the system
because it is colder than the surroundings, making the system more efficient in absorbing heat.
3. Why is the mass of the outer shell of the calorimeter and the insulating ring not included in the
data for this experiment?

The mass of the outer shell of the calorimeter and the insulating ring were not used in the data,
since the only parts of the isolated system are water, inner shell of calorimeter and metal sample
(Aluminum), making their masses irrelevant in the computation of specific heat.
4. What does this experiment show about the specific heat of water?
Based form the data obtained in the experiment, it was known that water has a higher specific
heat than the calorimeter which means water absorbs more amount of heat than the calorimeter.
5. How does the heat conductivity of the metal used in this experiment affect the accuracy of the
results?
The heat conductivity of the metal is a factor that may change the accuracy of the results
obtained. The rate of heat conduction can be affected by the different properties of the metal used
in the experiment such as its specific heat, surface area, nature and thickness.
6. Why should the hot metal be dry before it is introduced into the cold water?
The hot metal should be dry before introducing into the cold water. Mainly because the metal
was taken from a boiling water setup. Waters from the metal contains heat and in order to
maximize the direct contact between the surface of the metal and the molecules of water, it
should be remove, thereby improving the heat exchange.
7. 837 calories of heat are required to heat 100 grams of copper from 10C to 100C. What is the
specific heat of copper?
Qcopper = (mcopper)(ccopper)( T)
837 cal = (100g)(ccopper)(100oC 10oC)
837 cal = (100g)(ccopper)(90 Co)
837 cal = 9000g Co (ccopper)
9000g Co = 9000g Co
= 0.093 cal/ g Co