EXPERIMENT # 3

SPECIFIC HEAT OF METALS

I. OBJECTIVES

This experiment is designed

1. to measure the amount of energy absorbed by the cold object
2. to measure the amount of energy released by the metal sample
3. to measure the specific heat capacity of a metal sample

II. MATERIALS
Calorimeter, thermometer, beaker, triple beam balance, set of masses, ice cubes, metal
block, string/tong, stove, tong

III. THEORY
When the equal masses of different substances are subjected to the same rise in
temperature, they absorb different quantities of heat. Water takes in more heat than almost
any other substance undergoing the same change in temperature. Conversely, water gives
more heat than almost all substances when cooling through the same change in temperature.
Hence, water is used as the basis in comparing quantities of heat.
The specific heat of a substance is defined as the amount of heat required to raise the
temperature of that substance by a certain number of degrees divided by the amount of heat
required to raise the temperature of an equal mass of water by the same number of degrees.
Numerically, it is equal to the number of calories required to raise the temperature of
one gram of the substances from 14.50C to 15.50C.
To determine the specific heat of a substance, we apply the method of mixture. The
principle involved in the method is the law of heat exchange. When only two substances
interchange heat, the interchange continues such that the heat that is given up by the hotter
substance is gained by the cooler substance. There will be no heat transfer when the two
come to the same temperature.
In this experiment, a solid of known mass is heated to a certain temperature. It is then
mixed with a known mass of water, which is at lower initial temperature. After immersing
the solid in the water, the two reach a common temperature. The amount of heat absorbed
by the water is equal to the amount of heat given up by the solid. In symbols,
Q = mc∆T (1)
where m is the mass of the substance (either water or metal sample), c is the specific heat,
and ∆T is the change in temperature experience by the substance.

In ideal conditions where there is no heat lost to the environment, the heat given up by
the hotter substance is completely absorbed by the cooler substance:

Qcold = -Qhot (2)

Qmetal + Qcalorimeter + Qwater = 0 (3)

From equation (3) you can solve for specific heat (c) of the metal sample.

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IV. PROCEDURE

1. Weigh the metal sample.

2. Weigh the inner cup of the calorimeter.
3. Fill the inner cup with cold water having a temperature of 5 to 15 0C.
4. Weigh the calorimeter with water and find the mass of the water. Record the
temperature of the water – calorimeter mixture.
5. Heat the metal sample in a boiling water until the water temperature reaches
980C. Do the heating in a separate cup. Do not put into the flame the
calorimeter; this can melt the plastic insulation.
6. Move the metal sample into the calorimeter using a tong. Cover the
calorimeter and stir the water to gradually diffuse the heat evenly.
7. Observe the thermometer closely. Record the highest temperature indicated by
the thermometer.
8. Determine the heat gained by the calorimeter.
9. Compute for the heat gained by the water. Assuming that no heat escapes from
the calorimeter, the heat gained by water added to the heat gained by the
calorimeter is equal to the heat given up by the solid. From this relation find the
specific heat of the solid and compare your experimental value with the
accepted value.
10. Perform a second trial if the difference exceeds 15%.

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 Name: ______________________________ Date Performed: __________
Group #: _____________ Date Submitted: ____________
Subject & Section: _________________

EXPERIMENT # 3
SPECIFIC HEAT OF METALS

I. OBJECTIVE
This experiment is designed
1. to measure the amount of energy absorbed by the cold object
2. to measure the amount of energy released by the metal sample
3. to measure the specific heat capacity of a metal sample

II. PRESENTATION OF DATA

Metal Sample: __________________
Quantities Units Trial 1 Trial 2
Mass of Metal kg
Mass of Calorimeter kg
Mass of calorimeter and water kg
Mass of water kg
Specific heat of calorimeter J/kgK
Initial temperature of the metal K
Initial temperature of the water and K
calorimeter
Final temperature of the system K
Temperature change of the metal K
Temperature change of calorimeter & K
water
Heat gained by the water J
Heat gained by the calorimeter J
Heat given up by the metal J
Specific heat of the metal (experimental) J/kgK
Specific heat of the metal (standard) J/kgK
Percentage error

III. COMPUTATIONS AND ANALYSIS

1. Why is the mass of the outer shell of the calorimeter and the resulting ring not included in
data for this experiment?

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2. How does the heat conductivity of the metal used in this experiment affect the accuracy of
the results?

3. Why should the hot metal be dry before it is introduced into the cold water?

IV. CONCLUSION

V. PROBLEM SOLVING
1. 837 calories of heat are required to heat 100 grams of copper from 10 0C to 100oC.
What is the specific heat of copper?

2. The temperature of a silver bar rises by 10.0°C when it absorbs 1.23 kJ of energy by
heat. The mass of the bar is 525 g. Determine the specific heat of silver.

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