Heat Capacity

For the procedure, weigh the solid specimen first, then weigh the inner cup of the
calorimeter with the stirrer on the platform balance and record the mass. Fill it up with
water until it is about one-fourth full. Weigh the inner cup, including the water and stirrer,
and keep track of the weight. With the ring separating them, place the inner cup with
water and the stirrer in the outside calorimeter. Replace the lid in such a manner that
the stirrer's handle exits through the hole provided. The thermometer should be inserted
via the one-holed rubber stopper in the middle of the lid. Make sure the bulb is fully
submerged in the water but not touching the inner vessel's bottom. On the platform
balance, measure and record the mass of the solid specimen. In the water bath, heat up
the solid specimen. Suspend the specimen on a string to ensure that it does not come
into touch with the water bath's bottom. Check the temperature of the water bath on a
regular basis. Read the temperature of the water in the calorimeter when the water is
about to boil and record it as the water's and calorimeter's initial temperatures. Take the
temperature of the water while it is already boiling and record it as the solid specimen's
start temperature. Quickly place the heated solid object in the calorimeter's water. Cover
immediately and gently stir while keeping an eye on the temperature. Once the
temperature has stabilized, read the thermometer, and record the temperature as the
mixture's equilibrium temperature. Repeat with a different specimen.

The specific heat of a body is defined as the amount of heat needed to raise the
unit mass; temperature of a body one degree Celsius. For determining the specific heat
of solids, the mixture method is generally followed. The mixing method allows the
determination of the specific heat of a solid or liquid. A heated solid is placed in water in
a calorimeter. The mixture is stirred continuously, and the maximum mixing temperature
is measured by the thermometer. The heat exchange between the hot solid, water and
calorimeter allows all bodies to reach the same temperature after some time. Using this
equation, Heat exchange (q) = Specific heat (s) x Mass of the substance present (m) x
Change in temperature (△T), the specific heat capacity of the solid can be determined
(measured) when the other quantities are known.