MAPÚA UNIVERSITY

Department of Physics
Experiment No. 106
Title: SPECIFIC HEAT

PHYS101L / B14 Group No. 02

Group Leaders: DE JESUS, Harold G.

Date of Submitted: April 16, 2020

Contribution of Group Member in

Seat No. Name
the Experiment Report
BONUSTRO, Louie Domine
9 Conclusion
M.
10 DE JESUS, Harold G. Complete Computation
11 DIMASUHID, Ivan Mark S. Guide Questions
ESGUERRA, Joseph Leuvin
12 Conclusion
C.
Complete Computation and
13 ESTOYA, Abigail M.
Analysis
GARONITA, Lawrence
14 Guide Question
Nathaniel G.
15 GOH, Vanz Gabriel M. Conclusion
16 IBE, Eldrin Jae Analysis

CRITERIA FOR GRADING

A) Data Sheet / Graphs, Figures and Tables 20%
B) Complete Computations 20%
C) Analysis and Conclusion 20%
D) Answers to Questions 20%
E) Presentation/Completeness 20%
TOTAL 100%

A) GROUP DATA SHEET:

 Determining the Specific Heat of a Metal Specimen
Mass of Metal, Mm 55 g
Mass of Calorimeter, Mc 100 g
Mass of Water, Mw 60 g
Initial Temperature of Metal, tm 100°C
Initial Temperature of Calorimeter, tc 24°C
Final Temperature of Mixture, tmix 20°C
Experimental Specific Heat of Metal, Cm -0.073 cal/g.C°
Actual Specific Heat of Metal, Cm 0.0917 cal/g.C°
Percentage Error 181%

B) COMPLETE COMPUTATIONS:

Actual Specific Heat of Brass = 0.0917 cal/goC

Specific Heat of Water = 1.0 cal/goC
Specific Heat of Calorimeter = 0.2174 cal/goC
Mm = 55 g
Δtm = 80oC
Mw = 60 g
Δtw = -4oC

Q=mC ∆ t
Q
C=
m ∆t
QLOSS(metal) + QGAINED(water + calorimeter) = 0
Qw + Qc = -Qm
−M m Cm ∆ t m=M w C w ∆t w + M c C c ∆ t c
cal cal
Cm = (
−( 60 g ) 1.0
g° C )
(−4 ℃ )+(100 g)(0.2174
g°C
)(−4 ℃ )
=−0.0743
cal
55 g(20 ℃−100 ℃ ) g ℃
¿
Percentage Error = ¿−0 .0743−0.0917∨ 0 .0917 ∗100=181 % ¿
C.1) ANALYSIS:

The main goal of the experiment is to apply the principles of calorimetry, specifically the Law of
Heat Exchange. Specific heat is the thermodynamic property, which states the specific heat capacity of a
substance is the amount of heat required for a single unit of mass of a substance to be raised by degree of
temperature. Heat, Heat Capacity and Temperature are related to the equation that was use d in the
experiment Q=mc ∆ t . Calorimetry is the process that is used to measure the amount of heat that
absorbed and released during a chemical reaction. Calorimetry and the laws behind the heat exchange was
used in the experiment. To identify the specific heat of the metal, concept of zeroth law of
thermodynamics was used. The zeroth law states that “if two systems are in thermal equilibrium” then
there is no net heat flow in these two systems, in which the two systems will be in the same temperature,
QLOSS +QGAINED = 0, in which this equation builds a relationship between the substance. With these
concepts in mind, analysis of data, both provided and computed, showed that the final temperature of the
mixture is significant when it comes to determining the experimental specific heat of metal. The final
temperature of the mixture is then dependent on the initial temperature of metal after being submerged in
boiling water, and the initial temperature of the water in the calorimeter. This is because the heat from the
metal with high temperature is transferred to the water in the calorimeter with lower temperature, which
shows the application of the Law of Heat Exchange. Further analysis showed that there might have been
many sources of error for this experiment since the percent error computed is greater than 100%.

C.2) CONCLUSION:

The first objective was satisfied, the experiment used the principles of calorimetry, specifically
the Law of Heat Exchange, when combining objects with different temperatures. Based on the given data,
the second objective of the experiment, which is to use the Law of Heat Exchange in determining the
specific heat of solid metal, was not completely satisfied. The reason for this is that though the group was
indeed able to determine the specific heat of the solid metal through computations, the high percentage of
error negates it. There is a possibility that there is an error on the given data especially the final
temperature of the mixture, in which the mixture, theoretically, should produce a higher temperature than
the initial temperature of the water and calorimeter since it gains heat from the hot metal. However, the
given data showed the final temperature to be lower than the initial. Hence, the experimental specific heat
capacity of the metal, based on the given data did not meet the actual specific heat capacity due to
possible experimental errors and that is why there is a huge percentage of error.

The experiment is essential to the field of engineering such as heating and air conditioning
system. In simple terms, an air-conditioning system is used to cool down a certain space or machine by
transferring the heat from that space to the area outside of it. Specifically, air-conditioning units make use
of cold liquid refrigerants that absorb the heat from the space which cools the space down. Once enough
heat is absorbed, the liquid refrigerant then changes phase into gas, which is then transferred to the
outside air. Once the heat is transferred outside, the refrigerant cools down once again and the process
repeats. Air-conditioning systems are often used in engineering and their applications can usually be seen
during construction of homes. Similar systems also apply the Law of Heat Exchange in the production
and usage of different devices such as refrigerators, boilers, and even laptops and television units. Other
everyday applications of the said law is the thermometer with mercury, when it is subjected in a hot
water, then it will absorb heat, as a result, the temperature is increases and the mercury expands since the
area of the tube is constant. The expansion of the mercury shows the changes in temperature and basically
helps us to measure it. However, when the reading of the thermometer stops increasing then it attains
thermal equilibrium which means that the hot water and the thermometer is at the same temperature.
D) GUIDE QUESTIONS:

1. When is a system considered to be in thermal equilibrium? When does heat transfer from
one body to another stop?

You can consider a system to be in thermal equilibrium if the heat of the two objects are at the
same temperature. That is, if it is in the state of thermal equilibrium (same temperature), then the
exhibit of heat transfer from one body to another will stop.

2. List down 2 sources of error in this experiment and your suggested solutions for these.

Source of Error: Since no system can be completely adiabatic, there is usually unwanted heat loss to
the surroundings.

Solution: We suggested that the unwanted heat loss can be reduced by insulating the sides of the
calorimeter and adding a lid. In addition, be sure enough that the calorimeter is tightly sealed or
covered so that it will not be exposed to the environment that would lead to experimental errors.

Source of Error: Since metal is a good thermal conductor and the laboratory is air conditioned. so,
the initial temperature of the metal will be decreased.

Solution: We suggested that the metal was immediately place to the calorimeter water or the
experiment was performed in a room temperature laboratory.