Expt.

No: 01
Name of the experiment: Determination of Mechanical equivalent of heat.

Theory:
When a current of strength i flows fort sec. through a coil of wire of resistance R producing a
drop of potential V across it, the work done, W=vit=i2Rt Joule.
If` all all this work is converted into heat. then from first law of thermodynamics. we know.
"Heat and work is proportional to each others," that is, W∝ H or W= JH; where J= a constant of
proportionality.
It is called mechanical equivalent of heat.
𝑊 𝑉𝑖𝑡( 𝑜𝑟 𝑖 2 𝑅𝑇)
∴𝐽=𝐻 = Joule/cal ........ (1)
𝐻
Let the resistance coil be dipped in a liquid of mass m1, and of specific heat s1 contained in a
Calorimeter of mass m with stirrer. then
H=(ms+m1s1) (𝜃2 − 𝜃1 ) ......... (2)
where s= specific heat of the material of the calorimeter.
𝑉𝑖𝑡( 𝑜𝑟 𝑖 2 𝑅𝑇)
∴From (1) and (2) we get, J=(ms+𝑚 joule/cal………………..(3)
1 𝑠1 ) (𝜃2 −𝜃1 )

Apparatus:
Joule`s electrical calorimeter, ammeter, voltmeter, thermometer, battery, key, stop watch.
Rheostat, tarpin oil (turpentine), balance, weight box, connecting wire, sand paper etc.
Procedure:

I. At first the calorimeter was dried, cleaned and then was weighed with the stirrer. Let the
mass was m.
2
2. Now 3 gm of the calorimeter was filled with the liquid and then was weighed. Subtracting the
weight m from this weight, the weight (mass) of the liquid (m1) was obtained.

3. The initial temperature (𝜃1 ) of the liquid was determined by a sensitive thermometer.

4. How the calorimeter was included in the circuit and a key (K). a battery (B). a variable
resistance (Rh). an ammeter all were connected in series. Voltmeter (V) was connected
in parallel with coil of the wire.

5. Now the circuit was closed [ON] and instantaneously the stop watch was started. When
the temperature of the liquid was rose to about (5-8)℃ [𝜃2 ℃], then the circuit was
opened (OFF). The ammeter and voltmeter readings were taken every minute. But the
readings were fixed V.

6. Then the temperature of the liquid was allowed to come down during the same time and
the final temperature (𝜃3 ℃) was noted. This time always the stirrer was stirred and the
temperature was noted every minute also.

7. To get the correct rise of temperature of the liquid of the calorimeter correction of
1 1
radiation were done. Let the fall of temperature, x=𝜃2 − 𝜃3 ) ∴ 2 𝑥 = 2 (𝜃2 − 𝜃3 )

1
Actual rise of temperature [with radiation correction), 𝜃 = (𝜃2 − 𝜃1 )+2 ( 𝜃2 − 𝜃3 )
Experimental data:
Mass of calorimeter with stirrer, m=89.5. gm
Specific heat of the material of the calorimeter, s=0.21 cal/gm/℃
Mass of liquid. m1=113.3gm
Specific heat of liquid. s1=0.41 cal/gm/°C

Table-( i) : Flow of the current was made on was closed.

No. of obs. Time(min) Ammeter Voltmeter Temperature
Reading reading °C
i amp V Volt
1 0 29=θ1
2 1 29.9
3 2 30.8
4 3 1.6 3.2 31.7
5 4 32.5
6 5 33.3
7 6 34= θ2

(ii) Flow of the current was made OFF was Opened.

8 7 36.6
9 8 33.1
10 9 32.7
11 10 32.2
12 11 0 0 31.7
13 12 31.2
14 13 30.8= θ3
(Plotting a graph of time vs temp difference you can find J also)
Calculations:
1 1 1 1
𝑥 = 2 (𝜃2 − 𝜃3 )= 2 (34° − 3.8°)= 2 (3.2°) = 1.6℃
2

1
Actual rise of temperature, 𝜃 = (𝜃2 − 𝜃1 )+2 ( 𝜃2 − 𝜃3 )=(34°-29°)+1.6°=6.6℃
𝑉𝑖𝑡 𝑉𝑖𝑡 3.2×1.6×6×60
J=(ms+𝑚 = (ms+𝑚 = (89.5×0.21+113.3×0.41) ×6.6
1 𝑠1 ) (𝜃2 −𝜃1 ) 1 𝑠1 ) θ

Or,J=4.28 joule/cal

𝐴𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑢𝑙𝑡−𝑂𝑏𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑢𝑙𝑡 4.2−4.28

Percentage of error= × 100%= ×100%=1.9% ( Approx)
𝐴𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑢𝑙𝑡 4.2

Result with explanation:

J=4.28 joule/cal
We know, mechanical equivalent of heat is 4.2 Joul/cal. Experimental result is very nearer to
actual result and percentages of error is 1.9%.
So we can say that our experiment is correct.

Precautions:

1. The coil of wire should remain completely immersed in the liquid. .

2. The voltmeter should he connected across the coil with its positive pole connected to the
terminal where the current enters the coil.
3.rise of the temperature should not be large.