Questions on specific heat capacity
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Questions on specific heat capacityYou are trying to find the specific heat capacity, C of a metal block. When calcualting C, you assume the block absorbs all the energy, but some is lost to surroundings. If its absorbing less energy then it would take longer to heat up, this would make it seem as though C was higher than it really is. Is this correct?
Is there any scenario where the calculated value for C was LESS than it actually was?
Why is it important to cool the metal block below room temp before the experiment is started?Last edited by DonWorryJockIsHere; 18-03-2012 at 15:58. -
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Re: Questions on specific heat capacityYour question doesnt make sense. What is 'it' ? Is this the full question ?(Original post by DonWorryJockIsHere)
Assume that it absorbs all the energy, but some is lost to surroundings. If its absorbing less energy then it would take longer to heat up, this would make it seem as though C was higher than it really is.
Is there any scenario where the calculated value for C was LESS than it actually was?
Why is it important to cool the metal block below room temp before the experiment is started? -
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Re: Questions on specific heat capacitySorry I was putting some thougts down and didnt think to check before posting(Original post by Ari Ben Canaan)
Your question doesnt make sense. What is 'it' ? Is this the full question ? -
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Re: Questions on specific heat capacityLets look at it mathematically.(Original post by DonWorryJockIsHere)
Sorry I was putting some thougts down and didnt think to check before posting
Q = mc*delta theta
lets assign random values....
You are supplying 10000 J of energy so we assume all of this is absorbed.
and let the product of the mass of the object and its temperature rise = 400.... Dont worry about the units.
Hence, c = 25
Now we know some energy we supply is DISSIPATED.
So what can you say about the size of Q ? Will it be larger or smaller ?
Hence, what can you say about the size of c ? -
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Re: Questions on specific heat capacitySo since some is dissapated Q is smaller which makes C smaller?(Original post by Ari Ben Canaan)
Lets look at it mathematically.
Q = mc*delta theta
lets assign random values....
You are supplying 10000 J of energy so we assume all of this is absorbed.
and let the product of the mass of the object and its temperature rise = 400.... Dont worry about the units.
Hence, c = 25
Now we know some energy we supply is DISSIPATED.
So what can you say about the size of Q ? Will it be larger or smaller ?
Hence, what can you say about the size of c ? -
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Re: Questions on specific heat capacityIf you start the experiment at, say 20 deg below room temp and finish at 20 deg above, then the heat lost to the surroundings while the temperature is above is balanced by the heat gained when it is below.(Original post by DonWorryJockIsHere)
Why is it important to cool the metal block below room temp before the experiment is started?
