Specific Heat of Water vs Soil

This experiment shows two identical bowls with heat lamps positioned directly above them.
One bowl is filled with water. The other bowl is filled with dirt.

EXPERIMENT
In the first half of the experiment, the heat lamps are turned on for 30 minutes. Then, the heat
lamps are turned off for 30 minutes.

DATA
A data table of the change in temperature for each substance is shown below.

Soil Temp
Time (min) Water Temp (C) (C) "Beach" Temp (C)
0 21.2 23.9 22.9
5 22.1 33.4 23.4
10 23.2 41.2 24.1
15 24.3 46.1 24.9
20 25.4 49.5 25.7
25 26.4 51.9 26.4
30 27.1 53.3 27.1
35 27 47.2 27.3
40 26.4 40.9 27.2
45 25.8 36.4 26.9
50 25.3 33.1 26.5
55 24.8 30.8 26.2
60 24.3 29 25.9
The soil starts at 23.9 degrees Celsius. When the heat lamp is turned on, its temperature rises
by about 5 degree per 5 minutes, peaking at 53.3 degrees at the 30 minute mark. The water
starts at 21.2 degrees Celsius. When the heat lamp is turned on, its temperature rises more
gradually than the dirt, reaching a plateau at 27 degrees Celsius after 30 minutes.

When the heat lamp is turned off, the dirt cools about as rapidly as it heated. Its temperature
cools by about 5 degree per minute, dropping from 53.3 degrees Celsius to 29 degrees Celsius
in 30 minutes.

When the heat lamp is turned off, the water holds its temperature at 27 degrees Celsius for the
first 10 minutes. From 10 to 25 minutes, it only loses a total of 1.7 degrees, dropping to 25.3
degrees.

ANALYZE
Use the data to create a line graph. Be sure to include all the necessary items for a graph!
Graph water and soil temp (double-line graph). BONUS – Add the “beach” temp also (triple-
line graph).

Graphing Checklist (For your graph to be Complete, the labels around it should form a C)

Be sure to include TAILS: Title

Axis Labels
Interval
Label Units
Scale

Write a few sentences explaining your data. Your explanation should include answers to the
following questions:

1. What does this experiment show about the difference between the specific heat of
water and dirt? Hint: Specific heat is the amount of heat per unit mass required to raise
the temperature by one degree Celsius.

2. How does your data explain how many times temperatures of coast areas are cooler
than the temperatures more inland?