Sophmore Research Paper

Buiteweg Kettler 3
Introduction
Who wouldnt want to look younger than they actually are? Zinc is an
essential element that every person needs to keep them looking younger. What
zinc does is it speeds up and helps the process of repairing any damaged skin
and it also heals any wounds that you have. Also, zinc can help clear up acne,
eliminate a large portion of a persons dandruff, and it protects the skin from the
sun and any other harmful UV rays (Aurora Geib). There are multiple different
uses for Zinc, this just happens to be one that can keep a person looking youthful
and healthier.
An experiment was conducted using two metals, Zinc and an unknown
metal. The purpose of this experiment was to determine if a previously identified
sample element matched a second unknown sample by measuring material
properties, specific heat and thermal expansion.
To determine if the two metal samples were the same, linear thermal
expansion and specific heat were measured. Using a calorimeter and a Lab
Quest and temperature probe, the experimenters were able to determine what
the specific heat was for the unknown and known metal rods. The specific heats
that were measured helped, along with the results from linear thermal expansion,
to determine whether or not the unknown metal could be identified as Zinc.
To find the linear thermal expansion, the rods were put in water and were
measured using linear thermal expansion jigs. Specific heat was measured using
a calorimeter. The goal was to see if the measurements of the unknown metal
matched those of the known metal, Zinc, and to calculate intensive properties.
Buiteweg Kettler 4
By using a jig for linear thermal expansion, the experimenters were able to
determine how much the Zinc and unknown metals expanded when heated in a
loaf pan. How close their expansions were determined whether or not they could
be identified as the same metals.
Background
The name zinc comes from the German word zinke. It is referenced to
the sharp pointed crystals formed after smelting. Smelting is the process of
melting ores to get the different metals by themselves. Zinc was first recognized
to be a metal in 1374 in India. This made zinc the eighth known to man at the
time. When India moved their zinc manufacturing industry in the end of the 16th
century to China, this is when Europe first really recognized zinc as a metal. In
the 1743 the first zinc smelting manufacturer was set up in Europe. The zinc
smelting industry did not make its way over to the United States until 1850.
2 ZnS+3 O2 2 ZnO + SO 2
2 SO 2 +O2 2 SO 3
Figure 1. Zinc Smelting Chemical Reaction
Zinc is collected in underground and open pit mining. Figure 1 shows the
chemical reaction that takes place when it is smelted. Zinc is characterized as Zn
on the periodic table. Oxygen is O, and S is sulfur. When zinc ore is mined, it
contains only 5-15% zinc. Over 95% of the zinc is produced from a blend of zinc
and sulfur. To get the zinc alone, a process called roasting and sintering is done.
The solution is brought to a temperature that is greater than 900 C. Over 90% of
zinc is produced hydrometallurgical in electrolytic plants.
Buiteweg Kettler 5
Some uses for zinc in the industrial design of products are in the nuclear
and steel industry. In the nuclear industry, zincs isotope is used in a nuclear
reactor as a cooling reactant, which inhibits corrosion and reduces the radiation
exposure. In the steel industry, zinc is used to coat the steel bars to add a layer
of protection when the steel is submerged under water to stop the water from
corrupting the steel bar.
The density of zinc is 7.14g/cm3 when it is solid, the specific heat of zinc is
0.39 kJ/kg K and its thermal expansion is 29.7 10 -6m/m K. It has a melting point
of 692.68 K and its atomic mass is 65.406g/mol. The density of water is 1 g/m 3
therefore zinc is denser than water.
1 s 2 2 s 2 2 p 6 3 s2 3 p 6 4 s2 3 d 10
Figure 2. Electron Configuration of Zinc
The electron configuration of zinc shown in Figure 2 is one of the many
ways zinc can be identified. Also, this is another way to show how many
electrons an atom contains. This is relevant to this project because when the
atom loses or gains electrons the electron configuration or structure will change
or be altered using ionization energy or electron affinity. Ionization energy is the
minimum energy required to remove an electron from a gaseous atom in its
ground state. Electron affinity is the negative of the energy change that occurs
when an electron is accepted by an atom in the gaseous state to form an anion.
Zinc or Zn has an atomic number of 30. This means it contains 30 protons
and 30 electrons in its stable state. The atomic mass for zinc is 65 amu. The
Buiteweg Kettler 6
number of neutrons an atom contains is the atomic mass minus the atomic
number. So zinc contains 35 neutrons.
Zinc is an essential trace element meaning very small amounts of it are
required for the heath of a human. A deficiency of zinc can cause stunted growth
in children and slow wound healing. 50% of zinc ends up being used for
galvanizing, a protective coating on iron or steel, because it is resistant to normal
weathering such as rusting and weakening.
Specific Heat:
Zinc (Zn) is used for many things because it has properties that make it
different from others. Zinc is used because it is durable and recyclable. Liquid
zinc is made in the absence of oxygen (O). 50% of the time, zinc is galvanized so
that it can be used for protecting steel from corrosion.
An experiment was done on specific heat by an Indian university called
Deemed University. In this experiment they were testing for the specific heat of
Hot Brine for Salt Gradient Solar Pond Application. The purpose for this was to
look for a less pollute solution to heat a nature found pond to sustain life in the
colder winter months. While the Deemed University conducted this experiment
they compared the different levels of specific heat of Sodium Chloride, NaCl,
concentration of 26%, 20%, and 1%. The concentrations are out of a hundred
mL. So there is 26 mL of NaCl and 74 mL of water. This continues on for the next
three concentrations. In conclusion of this experiment these concentrations
produced different temperatures of the water. To conclude they learned that a
Buiteweg Kettler 7
higher concentration of 26% and produced a higher temperature ranging from of
75C to 55C.
Another experiment done on specific heat was by Valdosta State
University in Valdosta Georgia. This experiment is very similar to the experiment
ran in this research paper. Its purpose was to determine the specific heat of an
unknown metal using a coffee cup calorimeter. A calorimeter is a device that
measures the heat developed during a chemical reaction.
In the Valdosta State University experiment, when the water was
beginning to boil the specific heat of the metal could either become endothermic
or exothermic. Endothermic is when the system absorbs heat from surroundings,
this also means the system is gaining energy. Exothermic is when the system is
giving heat to the surroundings, this means that the system is losing heat. In this
experiment the system would be the metal the surroundings would be the water.
The first trial that they performed was shown to be an endothermic reaction. As a
result they found the specific heat of the unknown metal to be 0.317 J/gC.
These experiments are both relevant to this research paper, but the
experiment done by Valdosta State University pertains to this research paper
more than the experiment done by Deemed University in India. First, the
experiment tests for the specific heat of an unknown metal. Later on in this
research paper it will easily noticed why this experiment is relevant. Also, the
coffee cup calorimeter is relevant because they created an isolated system which
will instate that no external force or energy will get into or get out of the
calorimeter. This ensures solid results and that the data will not be altered in any
Buiteweg Kettler 8
way. While in the experiment done by Valdosta State University, they created a
coffee cup calorimeter, in this research paper a calorimeter will be conducted but
not a coffee cup calorimeter specifically.
Specific heat is the amount of heat per unit mass required to raise the
temperature by one degree Kelvin or one degree Celsius. It is a physical
property. Specific heat is used to identify elements because every element has
its own specific heat. Water is usually the reference subject for specific heat as it
has a specific heat of 4.182 J/gC. The specific heat of zinc is 0.39 J/gC, which
means that it takes 0.0933 times as much heat to raise the temperature of zinc
as it would to raise the temperature of water of equal mass.
Thermal expansion
Linear thermal expansion is the measurement of how much the rod of
metal changes in length. The equation below is the equation for linear thermal
expansion. The zinc and the unknown metal will be measured in length to
determine if the thermal expansion of the unknown metal is the same as zinc.
In an experiment done by a series of Asian scientists, they were testing
the linear expansion of an iron from cooled liquid nitrogen to 300 Kelvin. What
the scientists did was formed six iron rods at about twelve millimeters long. The
scientists then soaked the Iron in the liquid nitrogen. After this the researchers in
this experiment rolled the Iron at different angles of 0, 30, 45, 60,75, and
90. The result in this experiment was that rolling the Iron at 30 proved to
produce the least amount of linear thermal expansion.
Buiteweg Kettler 9
Another experiment done on linear expansion was done by a German
chemistry professor and his students. They were testing the linear thermal
expansion of solids as a function of temperature. In this experiment what they did
was put a piece of brass, steel, and glass in a water circulation system. When the
brass, steel, or glass was in the water circulation system, the water would be
moving about in the container and heat would be added to where the water
would almost be boiling. As a result of this experiment the brass showed the
most linear expansion and the glass showed the least.
Out of both of these experiments the second one done by the German
scientist relates to this paper more than the experiment done on the linear
expansion of an iron from liquid nitrogen. This is because while both experiments
are done with metals the first one uses liquid nitrogen and a rolling technique as
opposed to the second which uses water to expand the metals.
Problem Statement and Hypothesis
Problem Statement:
Knowing the given metal, zinc, determine if the specific heat and thermal
expansion properties of the unknown metal match those properties of zinc.
Hypothesis:
If the specific heat and thermal expansion properties of the unknown metal
percent error will be small enough for it to be a significant match to those of the
known metal, zinc, then the unknown metal will be identified as either a match or
not a match.
Buiteweg Kettler 10
Specific Heat Experimental Design
Materials:
36 cm x 12 cm x 12 cm Metal Loaf
50 mL Graduated Cylinder
Pan
TI-Nspire Cx Calculator
Hot Plate
Lab Quest
3 Calorimeter
Temperature Probe
Gloves
2 Zinc Metal Rods
Tongs
2 Unknown Metal Rods
Scout Pro Scale (0.00g)

Procedure:
1. Randomize both trials, 15 of the trials will use Zinc rods and the other 15
will use the unknown metal. When randomizing, 1 and 2 will be for the
unknown metal and 3 and 4 will be for Zinc.
2. Set up the Logger Pro (see appendix for set up)
3. Fill a loaf pan with 200 mL of water and heat the water to a boil on a hot
plate to about 100C
4. Place the unknown piece of metal into the boiling water for 3-5 minutes
5. Measure the temperature of the metal. To do this, measure the
temperature of the water. Assume that the metal is the same temperature
as the water. Record the temperature in the data table.
6. Set up the Calorimeter (see appendix on how to set up the Calorimeter)
7. Fill the Calorimeter with enough water that would cover the metal rod.
There should be approximately 60 mL of water. The water should be room
temperature tap water.
8. Mass the metal being tested and record it in the data table
9. Measure the temperature of the water in the calorimeter and record in the
data table.
Buiteweg Kettler 11
10. Approximately 20 seconds before the metal will be placed into the
Calorimeter, place the Temperature Probe into the calorimeter through the
cap and start the Logger Pro.
11. Using a pair of tongs, carefully take the piece of metal out of the boiling
water and place it into the calorimeter. Quickly put the cap on the
calorimeter.
12. Carefully stir the water and metal until either 5 minutes has elapsed or it is
clear that equilibrium has been reached and the temperature is slowly
declining
13. Take the metal rod out of the calorimeter and dry. Drain the calorimeter of
all water.
14. Repeat steps 2-13 for thirty trials.
Diagram:
Buiteweg Kettler 12
Figure 3. Specific Heat Materials
Thermal Expansion Experimental Design
Materials:
2 Thermometers (0.01C)
2 Zinc Metal Rods
2 Thermal Expansion Jig (0.01 mm)
2 Unknown Metal Rods
36 cm 12 cm 12 cm Metal Loaf Pan
TI-Nspire Cx Calculator
Metal Tongs
Spray Bottle
Caliper (0.01 mm)
50 mL Graduated Cylinder
Hot Plate
Gloves
Procedure:
1. Randomize both trials, 15 of the trials will be with Zinc and the other 15
will be the unknown metal. When randomizing 1 and 2 will be for the
unknown metal and 3 and 4 will be for Zinc.
2. Fill a loaf pan about full with water and heat the water to about 100C
on a hot plate.
3. Measure the piece of metal using the caliper. Record in table.
4. Place the piece of metal into the boiling water for 3 5 minutes. After that
time has passed take the beaker and metal of the hot plate.
5. Measure the temperature of the metal. To do this, measure the
temperature of the boiling water. An assumption is made that the metal
and the water are the same temperature.
6. Using a pair of tongs carefully take the piece of the metal out of the
boiling water and place the metal into the Thermal Expansion Jig.
7. Put the dial where the jig first measures the metal.
8. Wait for 3 5 minutes while the metal cools in the Jig. Note that the Jig is
very sensitive so do not bump or move Jig while recording data. Record
the change in length in the data table.
9. To speed process along use a spray bottle full of ice water.
10. Using a thermometer measure the temperature of the air. An assumption
is made that the metal and the air are the same temperature.
11. Take the piece of metal out of the caliper.
12. Repeat steps 2-10 for the remaining trials.
Diagram:
Place Metal Rod Here
Figure 4. Thermal Expansion Change in Length Jig

In Figure 4 the arrow points to an indent in where the metal rod being
tested would be put.
Data and Observations

Table 1
Zinc Specific Heat Data Table
Trial
Ro
d
Mass(g)
Water
1 A
2 B
3 B
4 A
5 A
6 B
7 B
8 A
9 A
10 B
11 B
12 B
13 A
14 A
15 B
Average
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
Initial Temp.
(C)
Meta
Water
l
28.6
22.0
28.5
22.2
28.5
22.4
28.6
22.6
28.6
22.5
28.4
22.5
28.5
22.5
28.6
22.2
28.6
23.2
28.6
22.1
28.5
22.4
28.4
20.3
28.6
21.9
28.6
18.2
28.5
19.6
28.5
21.7
Metal
98.5
98.3
98.6
98.6
98.6
98.6
98.6
98.6
98.9
98.9
98.5
99.0
98.0
99.0
98.0
98.6
Equilibriu
m Temp.
(C)
24.7
24.6
25.2
25.3
25.2
25.1
25.2
24.9
25.8
24.7
24.9
22.9
24.4
21,o
23.1
24.5
Change in
Temp. (C)
Water
2.7
2.4
2.8
2.7
2.7
2.6
2.7
2.7
2.6
2.6
2.5
2.6
2.5
2.8
3.5
2,7
Metal
-73.8
-73.7
-73.4
-73.3
-73.4
-73.5
-73.4
-73.7
-73.1
-74.2
-73.6
-76.1
-73.6
-78.o
-74.9
-74.1
Table 1 shows the measurements taken needed to figure out the specific
heat value and the calculated specific heat value for the metal rod Zinc. See
Appendix B for formula used to find specific heat of the metal rod and a sample
calculation of specific heat as well.
Specific
Heat
(J/gC)
0.3211
0.2871
0.3360
0.3233
0.3229
0.3127
0.3240
0.3216
0.3122
0.3075
0.2996
0.3020
0.2981
0.3151
0.4122
0.3197
Table 2
Zinc Specific Heat Observation Table
Trial
Rod # Date
Observations
1 A
4/18/2013 No abnormalities happened during the trial.
2 B
4/18/2013 Redo due to a higher percent error than average
Nothing out of the ordinary happened during this trial
3 B
4/18/2013 when it was run.
Metal slipped from grasp of tongs so the metal was put
back into boiling water and new initial temperatures
4 A
4/18/2013 were taken for the metal and water.
5 A
6 B
7 B
8 A
9 A
10 B
11 B
12 B
13 A
14 A
15 B
Table 2 shows the observations taken by the researchers during the trials,
the metal rod being used, and the day the experiment was conducted. See
Appendix B for formula used to find specific heat of the metal rod and a sample
calculation of specific heat as well.
Table 3
Unknown Metal Specific Heat Data Table
Trial
Rod
1 A
2 A
3 B
4 B
5 B
6 B
7 B
8 B
9 A
10 B
11 A
12 A
13 B
14 A
15 A
Average
Mass(g)
Water
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
Initial Temp.
(C)
Metal Water
53.55
21.6
53.55
22.7
53.47
18.8
53.51
20.8
53.54
20.5
53.49
22.2
53.56
20.6
53.52
18.4
53.52
22.7
53.56
20.1
53.59
19.8
53.58
21.8
53.51
17.4
53.62
20.9
53.59
18.5
53.54 20.45
Equilibrium
Temp. (C)
Metal
102.2
101.3
102.2
101.1
99.3
101.8
101.2
101.5
99.3
101.7
101.8
101.2
101.7
101.5
101.7
101.3
27.2
28.1
24.9
26.4
26.3
27.3
27.1
24.5
27.8
26.4
25.5
27.0
23.6
26.3
23.8
26.2
Change in
Temp. (C)
Water
5.6
5.4
6.1
5.6
5.8
5.1
6.5
6.1
5.1
6.3
5.7
5.2
6.2
5.4
5.3
5.7
Metal
-75
-73.2
-77.3
-74.7
-73
-74.5
-74.1
-77
-71.5
-75.3
-76.3
-74.2
-78.1
-75.2
-77.9
-75.2
Table 3 shows the measurements needed to find the specific heat value
and the specific heat values for the Unknown metal rod.
Specific
Heat
(J/gC)
0.3500
0.3458
0.3705
0.3517
0.3725
0.3213
0.4112
0.3716
0.3346
0.3922
0.3500
0.3284
0.3724
0.3362
0.3187
0.3551
Table 4
Unknown Metal Specific Heat Observation Table
Trial
Rod # Date
Observations
The first calorimeter was used for all unknown a metal
1 A
4/22/2013 rods.
No abnormalities occurred when this trial was
2 A
4/22/2013 conducted.
The third calorimeter was used for all unknown b
3 B
4/22/2013 metal rods instead of the second calorimeter.
4 B
4/22/2013 Percent error was very high. Trial redone
5 B
6 B
7 B
4/22/2013 Nothing out of normality happened during this trial.
Due to a change in prongs that were used to pick up
the metal, the researchers found that it was more
difficult to pick up and to transfer the respected
8 B
4/22/2013 calorimeter.
9 A
10 B
11 A
12 A
13 B
14 A
15 A
Table 4 shows the observations taken by the researchers during the
experiment, the metal rod that was used in the trial, and what day the experiment
was conducted.
Table 5
Zinc Thermal Expansion Data Table
Trial
Rod
1 B
2 B
3 B
4 A
5 A
6 A
7 A
8 B
9 A
10 A
11 A
12 B
13 A
14 B
15 B
Average
Initial
Temp.
(C)
Final
Temp
(C)
Change
in Temp
0.1524
0.1524
0.1651
0.2032
0.1700
0.1500
0.1550
0.1778
0.1700
0.1500
0.1500
0.1651
0.1524
0.1778
0.1778
98.3
98.6
98.9
98.5
97.4
99.0
99.1
99.1
98.4
98.5
99.1
98.5
98.1
98.6
99.0
25.5
24.6
22.7
24.9
24.4
23.5
23.1
22.9
22.7
24.2
24.0
23.0
21.2
24.1
23.8
-72.8
-74.o
-76.2
-73.6
-73.0
-75.5
-76.0
-76.2
-75.7
-74.3
-75.1
-75.5
-76.9
-74.5
-75.2
1.6203E-05
1.5950E-05
1.6769E-05
2.1349E-05
1.8005E-05
1.5373E-05
1.5782E-05
1.8078E-05
1.7374E-05
1.5615E-05
1.5455E-05
1.6942E-05
1.6072E-05
1.8491E-05
1.8310E-05
128.81 0.1646
98.6
23.64
-75.0
1.7051E-05
Lengt
h (mm)
L
(mm)
129.20
129.12
129.21
129.32
129.34
129.24
129.23
129.07
129.26
129.29
129.24
129.07
123.31
129.07
129.13
Alpha
Coefficient
(mm)
Table 5 shows the initial length, change in length, initial temperature, final
temperature, change in temperature and, the alpha coefficient of the known
metal rod and which rod was in the trial. See Appendix C for formula used to find
the alpha coefficient and sample calculation of thermal expansion.
Table 6
Zinc Thermal Expansion Observation Table
Trial Rod
Date
Observations
First jig didn't look correct. Put rod back and got a
new jig. Tried a new jig and it was too small for rod.
1 B
4/17/2013 Used other jig (measured in millimeters)
2 B
4/17/2013 No abnormalities
3 B
Appeared to work correctly. Bumped jig while setting
zero. Largest alpha coefficient. 4.2981 mm*10 -6 larger
4 A
4/17/2013 than average
Water splashed onto the jig as we put it in. used jig
5 A
4/17/2013 that measured in inches. May have skewed data
6 A
4/17/2013 Used jig that measured in inches.
7 A
8 B
9 A
10 A
11 A
12 B
13 A
14 B
15 B
4/17/2013 Added more water to the loaf pan. No abnormalities
Table 6 shows the observations taken by the researchers when the
experiment was conducted, the metal rod that was being used, and on what day
the experiment was conducted.
Table 7
Unknown Metal Thermal Expansion Data Table
Trial
Rod
1 A
2 A
3 A
4 A
5 B
6 A
7 B
8 B
9 A
10 A
11 A
12 B
13 B
14 B
15 B
Average
Initial
Length
(mm)
Initial
Temp.
(C)
123.69
123.73
123.71
123.77
123.54
123.80
123.57
123.63
123.60
123.68
123.73
123.68
123.54
123.60
123.56
123.66
97.8
98.4
97.5
98.1
97.8
98.3
98.4
97.5
98.2
98.5
97.9
98.1
98.3
98.2
98.5
98.1
L
(mm)
0.0764
0.0764
0.0764
0.0764
0.0764
0.0764
0.0892
0.0764
0.0764
0.0764
0.0764
0.0764
0.0764
0.0764
0.0764
0.0773
Final
Temp
(C)
Change
in Temp
(C)
21.4
23.9
23.7
23.1
21.4
20.5
23.9
23.7
22.4
22.7
22.7
23.1
20.5
22.4
22.7
22.5
-76.4
-74.5
-73.8
-75.0
-76.4
-77.8
-74.5
-73.8
-75.8
-75.8
-75.2
-75.0
-77.8
-75.8
-75.8
-75.7
Alpha
Coefficient
(mm)
8.0881E-06
8.2926E-06
8.3726E-06
8.2346E-06
8.0988E-06
7.9363E-06
9.6872E-06
8.3780E-06
8.1589E-06
8.1537E-06
8.2154E-06
8.2406E-06
7.9531E-06
8.1589E-06
8.1616E-06
8.2754E-06
Table 7 shows the change in length of the unknown metal, the alpha
coefficient, and which rod was used during each trial for the thermal expansion of
the unknown metals. See Appendix C for formula used to find the alpha
coefficient and sample calculation of thermal expansion.
Table 8
Unknown Metal Thermal Expansion Data Tables

Trial Rod Date
Observations
Change in length the same as others. No
1 A
4/19/2013 abnormalities
2 A
3 A
4 A
5 B
6 A
4/19/2013 Smallest alpha coefficient but not by much.
Odd one out for change in length (greater than
7 B
4/19/2013 the others); largest alpha coefficient
8 B
9 A
10 A
11 A
12 B
13 B
14 B
15 B
Table 8 shows the observations taken by the researchers while the
experiment was being conducted, the rod that was being used, and on what day
the experiment was conducted.
Data Analysis and Interpretation

In an experiment conducted by the researchers, they were testing whether
or not the unknown metal given assigned to them was indeed the same metal as
the known metal. In this case the known metal was Zinc. The null hypothesis is
that the two metals will have the same specific heat or thermal expansion. The
alternative hypothesis is that the unknown metals specific heat or thermal
expansion is not equal to the known metals, Zinc, specific heat or thermal
expansion.
In the experiment the researchers collected different types of data to find
the specific heat and thermal expansion. For specific heat the researchers
needed to find the mass and change in temperature for the water and the metal
rod. For thermal expansion the researchers needed to find the initial length,
change in length, and change in temperature of the metal rod. Also know that
alpha is at 10% or 0.1. Both experiments were run thirty times individually, fifteen
of those were the known metal and the other fifteen were the unknown metal.
See Appendix E for percent error sample calculations.
Specific Heat:
Table 9
Specific Heat Data and Percent Error of Known Metal Zinc
Trial
Rod
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
A
B
B
A
A
B
B
A
A
B
B
B
A
A
B
Specific
Percent
Heat
Error
(J/gC)
0.3211
0.2871
0.3360
0.3233
0.3229
0.3127
0.3240
0.3216
0.3122
0.3075
0.2996
0.3020
0.2981
0.3151
0.4122
-17.658
-26.373
-13.842
-17.097
-17.210
-19.824
-16.919
-17.547
-19.949
-21.163
-23.174
-22.563
-23.577
-19.207
5.689
Table 9 shows the trial number, if it was rod A or B, the specific heat value,
and percent error. This helped provide a clue to whether or not the two metals
were the same or if they were different.
Table 10
Specific Heat Data and Percent Error of Unknown Metal
Trial
Rod
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
A
A
B
B
B
B
B
B
A
B
A
A
B
A
A
Specific
Percent
Heat
Error
(J/gC)
0.3500
0.3458
0.3705
0.3517
0.3725
0.3213
0.4112
0.3716
0.3346
0.3922
0.3500
0.3284
0.3724
0.3362
0.3187
10.248
11.325
5.001
9.820
4.478
17.620
5.422
4.720
14.212
0.550
10.269
15.807
4.504
13.796
18.279
Table 10 shows the trial number, the metal rod used, the specific heat
value, and the percent error value. This helped provide a clue to whether or not
the two metals were the same or if they were different.
In getting the results of the percent error it can be noted that the both the
known, Zinc, and unknown percent error values are not the same. The known
values are all negative except for one trial. The one trial, trial 15, could have
been faulty and may have been needed to be redone. The unknown values are
all positive. This provides another clue on finding out whether the known metal,
Zinc, and unknown metal are different or the same.
Figure 5. Specific Heat Normal

Probability Plot of Known Metal Zinc
Figure 5 shows the normal
probability plot of zinc. The graph
shows that the z value strays from the
expected z value as the known value goes up. The data looks to be normal and
does not stray too far from the expected z value. When the data points are near a
0.0000170 x-value, the data points stray from the expected probability.
Figure 6. Specific Heat Normal Probability Plot of Unknown Metal

Figure 6 shows the probability plot of the unknown metal. As seen in the
graph, the points are all relatively close to the expected value. The data ranges
from near 0.33 to near 0.38 as the value of specific heat. The data appears to be
normal and does not stray too far from the expected z value.
Median: 0.315094
0.412187
Figure 7. Specific Heat Box Plot of Known Metal

Figure 7 shows the specific heat of the known metal in a box plot. The
median for the specific heat of the known metal is 0.315094. The mean of the
specific heat for the unknown metals is 0.31969. There was only one outlier
which may have disrupted the data gathered. Without the outlier, the box plot is
normal.
Median : 0.350034
Figure 8. Specific Heat Box Plot of Unknown Metal

Figure 8 shows the specific heat of the unknown metal in a box plot. The
median of the specific heat for the unknown metals is 0.350034. The mean of the
specific heat for the unknown metals is 0.35513. There were no outliers in this
data gathered.
Figure 9. Specific Heat Two Sample T-Test

Figure 9 shows the calculator results from the 2 sample t test of specific
heat. These are the results from finding the t- and p-values. It helps to determine
the p-value. In this experiment, t is equal to -3.53326 and the p-value is
0.001454. See Appendix F: Two Sample T-Test equation.
Figure 10. Specific Heat P-Value

Figure 10 shows the specific heat P-value of 0.0015. Also in Figure 9
above is a more exact value of the p-value.
The researchers of this experiment reject the null hypothesis that the
mean of the known metal specific heat is equal to the mean of the unknown
metal specific heat. This is because how low the p-value is. With a percent of
0.15% it can be assumed that it is unlikely that the mean of the unknown metal
will ever be equal to the mean of the known metal.
Thermal Expansion:
Table 11
Thermal Expansion Data and Percent Error for Known Metal Zinc
Trial
Rod
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
B
B
B
A
A
A
A
B
A
A
A
B
A
B
B
Alpha Coefficient
(mm*10-6)
1.6203E-05
1.5950E-05
1.6769E-05
2.1349E-05
1.8005E-05
1.5373E-05
1.5782E-05
1.8078E-05
1.7374E-05
1.5615E-05
1.5455E-05
1.6942E-05
1.6072E-05
1.8491E-05
1.8310E-05
Percent Error
-59.1868
-59.8238
-57.7618
-46.2239
-54.6473
-61.2781
-60.2475
-54.4634
-56.2379
-60.6679
-61.0718
-57.3239
-59.5173
-53.4243
-53.8793
Table 11 shows the trial number, metal rod used specific heat value, and
the percent error of the thermal expansion alpha coefficient for the known metal
Zinc.
Table 12
Thermal Expansion Data and Percent Error for Unknown Metal

Trial
Rod
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
A
A
A
A
B
A
B
B
A
A
A
B
B
B
B
Alpha
Coefficient
(mm)
8.0890E-06
8.2926E-06
8.3726E-06
8.2346E-06
8.0988E-06
7.9363E-06
9.6872E-06
8.3780E-06
8.1589E-06
8.1537E-06
8.2154E-06
8.2406E-06
7.9531E-06
8.1589E-06
8.1616E-06
Percent
Error
-79.625
-79.112
-78.910
-79.258
-79.600
-80.009
-75.599
-78.897
-79.449
-79.462
-79.306
-79.243
-79.967
-79.449
-79.442
Table 12 shows the trial number, metal rod used, specific heat value, and
the percent error of the thermal expansion alpha coefficient for the unknown
metal.
Figure 11. Thermal Expansion Normal Probability Plot Known Metal Zinc
Figure 11 shows the thermal expansion probability plot of the known
metal, zinc. The data appears to stay relatively close to the expected z value and
is normal.
Figure 12. Thermal Expansion Normal Probability Plot Unknown Metal

Figure 12 shows the thermal expansion probability plot of the unknown
metal. As seen in the figure, some of the data points stray from the expected z
value as they go up in thermal expansion value. The range of the thermal
expansion of the unknown metal is very small and they appear to be all close in
value.
Median: 1.6769*10-5
Figure 13. Thermal Expansion Box Plot Known Metal Zinc

Figure 13 shows the thermal expansion data of zinc in a box plot. The
median of all the thermal expansion alpha coefficients for the known metals is
1.6769*10-5. The mean of the thermal expansion alpha coefficients is 1.7051*10 5
. There were no outliers.
Median:
8.1616*10-6
9.6872*1
0-6
Figure 14. Thermal Expansion Box Plot Unknown Metal

Figure 14 shows the thermal expansion data of the unknown metal in a
box plot. The median of all the thermal expansion alpha coefficients for the
unknown metals is 8.1616*10-6. The mean of the thermal expansion alpha
coefficients for the unknown metals is 8.2754*10-6. There was only one outlier
which could have also disrupted the data in this experiment.
Figure 15. Thermal Expansion Two Sample T-Test

Figure 15. shows the calculator results from the 2-sample t test of thermal
expansion. These calculations show the t- and p-values. The t value was 20.4754
and the p-value was 8.30022*10-13. See Appendix F: Two Sample T-Test Sample
Equation.
Figure 16. Thermal Expansion P-Value

Figure 16. shows the thermal expansion p-value. Notice that the p-value in
this graph comes up as zero. In the Figure 15 above it shows just how small the
p-value is, 8.30224*10-13.
For thermal expansion, the researchers reject the null hypothesis that the
mean of the known metal thermal expansion alpha coefficient is equal to the
mean of the unknown metal thermal expansion alpha coefficient. This is because
the p-value is so small. With a percent of 8.30224*10 -11% it can be said that the
likelihood of the unknown metal mean ever being the same as the known metal
mean is very unlikely. So it can be said that the unknown metal is not the same
as the known metal, Zinc.
Conclusion
The purpose of this experiment was to determine if a previously identified
sample element matched a second unknown sample by measuring material
properties, specific heat and thermal expansion. It was concluded that the
unknown metal rod is not the same as the known, zinc rod. The hypothesis that
the unknown metal rod is the same as the known zinc metal rod is rejected. The
results of the two sample t-test prove that the unknown metal rod is significantly
different than the zinc metal rod.
The experimental procedures used were not perfect, but they worked well.
The linear thermal expansion jig that was first used seemed faulty, but it was
repaired and the trial was redone therefore it made no difference in the data. The
calorimeters were homemade, but they retained the heat energy well and
appeared to be consistent. When a two sample t-test was calculated using the
data, shown in the data analysis section of this paper, the p-value was 0.001454.
Because the p-value is less than 0.1, the results of the unknown metal rod are
significantly different than those of the zinc rod.
In the data, when first looking at all the data, the specific heat shows that
the metals had relatively the same specific. This provided a positive trait towards
the researchers hypothesis, but this was not the case. When the thermal
expansion test was done they alpha coefficients were not anywhere near the
same. This provided a negatively towards towards the hypothesis. The two
sample t-test was the final indicator that the two metals were indeed not the
same.
When the experiment was conducted by the researchers, many problems

surfaced. One was that water being heated had to be added to frequently for
when the water was heated some of it also evaporated. This problem was quickly
resolved when tin foil was added to cover the loaf pan and prevent a large
portion of the water from evaporating. Also with the heated water, it was difficult
to keep the water a constant temperature. Having an inconsistent water
temperature made it difficult to determine if the core temperatures of the rods
were consistent. Having an inconsistent temperature may have changed the data
slightly, but most likely insignificantly.
Also the assumptions in this experiment could have contributed to the
greater percent errors. One assumption that was made was that the water and
the metal rod were the same temperature for both experiments could have
affected the data. Another was that in the thermal expansion experiment the
researchers made the assumptions that the final temperature was the air around
the metal rod on the jig.
During the experiment several problems occurred. When the specific heat
trials were first done the calorimeters were placed next to the hot plates. This
could have affected the overall temperature of the water in the calorimeter.
While the thermal expansion trials were being conducted, there were a
number of problems the researchers ran into. The first was with the thermal
expansion jig. The bit that touched the metal and measured the expansion was in
a position too high for the bit to be securely connected or touching the center of
the metal rod. Also whenever the researchers or anyone else in the room
touched the jig or table, the dial measuring the expansion would move. When the
researchers caught that this had occurred, the trials were repeated.
To make this research more accurate, there are a few things that could be
changed. For instance, professionally made calorimeters would produce an even
smaller chance of heat escaping. Also when the water was being heated in the
loaf pan it was at different temperatures. In a real lab setting it would be wise to
have the water kept in an incubator at a more constant temperature. Keeping the
metal rods in the water longer would increase the accuracy because we could be
more certain that the core temperature of each rod was as close to 100 C.
To further test if the unknown metal is the same or different, multiple
experiments could be conducted. One is to test the strength and durability in
harsh weather conditions of the metal. The strength could be used to see if Zinc
and the unknown metal can with stand the same amount of weight and pressure.
The durability could be used to see if the unknown metal reacts the same to
water and weatherization to Zinc.
These tests could also help industries indicate if there is a cheaper metal
to replace Zinc. These industries could consist of businesses that make both
boats or buildings with Zinc. The one test that would be most useful for these
kinds of businesses is the durability. This is so they do not have to constantly
replace the metal beam or panel when it starts to rust after only a couple uses
outside or in water.
Acknowledgments
We would like to acknowledge the efforts of our parents and teachers to

help us through our research project this year. We especially want to thank Mr.
Supal for helping us when our jig didnt seem right and for helping us make our
calorimeters and Mrs. Hilliard for harshly grading our drafts for each section of
this paper which helped us to better improve for our final paper.
Appendix A: Lab Quest Set Up
1. Connect Temperature Probe to the Lab Quest.

2. Press the power button the Lab Quest to turn it on. Choose New from the
File menu.
3. On the Meter Screen, tap Rate. Change the data-collection length to 3
minutes. Select OK.
4. Data collection can now be started.
5. To start the data collection click the green arrow in the bottom left hand
corner.
6. To stop data collection click the red square that will be in place of the
green arrow when data collection has started or let the time run out.
7. Once data collection has ended save it to a flash drive.
Appendix B: Specific Heat Sample Equation

To analyze the data the researchers needed to use the following equation
where specific heat of the metal being tested, S M. To figure this out the formula
below was used to find the specific heat of the metal being tested. The subscript
of M is for the metal, the subscript of W is for the water.
SW M W T W
=S M
MM T M
Shown below in Figure 17 is a sample calculation using the formula above to find
the specific heat of the metal being tested.
SW M W T W
=S M
MM T M
73.8
(28.6g )( C)=S M
(4.184 J )(60 g)(2.7 C )
g
0.3211 J
g
=S M
Figure 17. Specific Heat Sample Equation

Figure 17 is a sample problem how the researchers calculated the specific
heat values for the known and unknown metal rods.
Appendix C: Thermal Expansion Sample Equation

To analyze the data, to tell if the known and unknown metals are the same
or different, the researchers used thermal expansion as one of the factors to tell if
the metals were in fact the same. The change in length divided by the initial
length and change in temperature were used to find the alpha coefficient of
thermal expansion.
L
=
( Li)( T )
Below in Figure 18 a sample problem of how the researchers calculated
the alpha coefficient of thermal expansion.
L
=
( Li)( T )
0.1524mm
=
(129.2mm)(72.8 )
0.1524 mm
=
9405.76mm
1.6203mm =
Figure 18. Alpha Coefficient of Thermal Expansion Sample Equation
Figure 18 is a sample calculation for how the researchers computed the

alpha coefficient of thermal expansion.
Appendix D: Calorimeter Build Process and Procedure

The length and width of the calorimeter all depends on the size of the
metal being put into it and the amount of water. Although when making the
calorimeter the temperature probe must be able to reach the water and metal.
Below is the procedure on how the researchers made their calorimeters and what
measurements they used.
1. Measure out 14 inches on the PVC pipe.
2. Cut the PVC pipe along the line that marked off the 14 inches. Note: Make
sure both ends of the PVC pipe are level to decrease the amount of error
and so the caps can fit on securely.
3. Take the screw-on lid that will be on the top end of the PVC pipe and
make a hole only large enough for the temperature probe to fit into and so
it can move around very little.
4. On the outside of both ends of the PVC pipe cover it about one inch up
with a primer for the pipe glue.
5. Now on the same place the primer was put, the glue should be placed
heavily on it.
6. Immediately after the glue is put on put the bottom lid and other part of the
screw-on lid. Make sure the lids are on tight and on all the way.
7. Wait about fifteen minutes for the glue to dry.
8. Measure out space between the two ends of the lids.

9. Take the measurement that was just taken and use that to measure out
however much is needed pipe insulator.
10. Once pipe insulator is on the PVC pipe take duct tape and rap around the
insulator until it can no longer be seen.
11. Repeat steps 1-10 two more times to create a total of three calorimeters.
Appendix E: Percent Error

The percent error was used by the researchers to tell how close they were
to reaching the true value of the calculation they were testing for. This also
helped the researchers figure out how close the known metal and unknown metal
were from one another.
( Experimental ValueTrue Value)
100=Percent Error
(True Value)
Below is a sample problem on how the researchers found the percent
error of either specific heat or the alpha coefficient of thermal expansion.
( Experimental ValueTrue Value)
100=Percent Error
(True Value)
( 0.3211 0.39 ) 100=Percent Error

(0.39 )
J
C
g
J
C
g
J
C
g
0.17658 100=Percent Error

17.66 =Percent Error
Figure 19. Percent Error Sample Equation

Figure 19 is how the researchers calculated the percent error for specific
heat and thermal expansion using the experimental value that was found and a
true value that was found online on a reliable resource.
Appendix F: Two Sample T-Test Sample Equation

To see whether the null or alternative hypothesis is accepted or rejected or
how likely the null hypothesis will be the researchers needed to find the p-value.
It can be found once the t-value is found.
( StandDev 1 StandDev1 )
(StandDev 2 StandDev 2)
Sample 2
( Average 1 Average 2)
t=
Sample 1+
Above everything that has a subscript of one has to do with the data of the
known metal, Zinc. Everything that has a subscript of two has to do with the
unknown metal. Once the t-value is found it can be used to find the p-value. To
find the p-value it can be found on a table but using degree of freedom. The
degree of freedom is whatever number is closes to the t-value. If it is right in
between find the average. Also what is needed is the significance level. This is
usually at 0.1 or 10%.
Figure 20. P-Value and Degree of Freedom Chart
Works Cited
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University Northwest, 12 Aug. 2001. Web. 19 May 2013.
<http://www.iun.edu/~cpanhd/C101webnotes/matter-andenergy/specificheat.html>.
Didactic, LD. "Heat, Thermal Expansion." LD Physics Leaflets. Federal Republic
of Germany, 19 Aug. 2008. PDF. 7 Apr. 2013.
<www.ld-didactic.de/literatur/hb/e/p2/p2113_e.pdf>.
"Galvanize Definition." The Free Dictionary. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2009.
Web. 24 Mar. 2013.
<http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-982ZINC.aspx?activeIngredientId=982&activeIngredientName=ZINC>.
Gray, Leon. "Zinc." The Element Series. New York: Marshall Cavendish, 2006. N.
pag. Print.
Geib, Aurora. "Zinc News." Zinc Plays Key Role in Supporting Key Biological
Processes (2012): n. pag. Print
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2011. Web. 24 Mar. 2013.
<http://www.zinc.org/basics_history_of_zinc >.
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Apr. 2012. Web. 24 Mar. 2013.
<http://wanttoknowit.com/uses-of-zinc/>.
Kenneth, Barbalace. Periodic Table of Elements - Zinc - Zn.

EnvironmentalChemistry.com. 1995 - 2013. Accessed on-line: 3/24/2013
<http://EnvironmentalChemistry.com/yogi/periodic/Zn.html>.
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Buiteweg Kettler 3

2 Zinc Metal Rods

2 Unknown Metal Rods

Scout Pro Scale (0.00g)

2 Zinc Metal Rods

2 Thermal Expansion Jig (0.01 mm)

2 Unknown Metal Rods

36 cm 12 cm 12 cm Metal Loaf Pan

Caliper (0.01 mm)

Place Metal Rod Here

Figure 4. Thermal Expansion Change in Length Jig

Data and Observations

Unknown Metal Thermal Expansion Data Tables

Data Analysis and Interpretation

Figure 5. Specific Heat Normal

Figure 6. Specific Heat Normal Probability Plot of Unknown Metal

Figure 7. Specific Heat Box Plot of Known Metal

Figure 8. Specific Heat Box Plot of Unknown Metal

Figure 9. Specific Heat Two Sample T-Test

Figure 10. Specific Heat P-Value

Thermal Expansion Data and Percent Error for Unknown Metal

Figure 12. Thermal Expansion Normal Probability Plot Unknown Metal

Figure 13. Thermal Expansion Box Plot Known Metal Zinc

. There were no outliers.

Figure 14. Thermal Expansion Box Plot Unknown Metal

Figure 15. Thermal Expansion Two Sample T-Test

Figure 16. Thermal Expansion P-Value

When the experiment was conducted by the researchers, many problems

We would like to acknowledge the efforts of our parents and teachers to

Appendix A: Lab Quest Set Up

1. Connect Temperature Probe to the Lab Quest.

Appendix B: Specific Heat Sample Equation

Figure 17. Specific Heat Sample Equation

Appendix C: Thermal Expansion Sample Equation

Figure 18 is a sample calculation for how the researchers computed the

Appendix D: Calorimeter Build Process and Procedure

8. Measure out space between the two ends of the lids.

Appendix E: Percent Error

( 0.3211 0.39 ) 100=Percent Error

0.17658 100=Percent Error

Figure 19. Percent Error Sample Equation

Appendix F: Two Sample T-Test Sample Equation

Figure 20. P-Value and Degree of Freedom Chart

Kenneth, Barbalace. Periodic Table of Elements - Zinc - Zn.

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