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specific heat capacity.. help!!

hello guys...
im doing this lab report...the expt is specific heat capacity of metals.
the question is:

what are the possible sources of error in the expt?!?!?!!?

thanks!!
Reply 1
Avatar for welwyn
welwyn
1. you might not have heated it evenly. Metals have a low shc so this could be significant if one part is boiling and another is freezing - it depends on where the thermometer is.
2. if it isn't insulated, heat losses will mean more energy is supplied for each degree temp rise, to the shc will be too high (as c = E /m x temp change)
3. Heat losses could be big if the metal isn't cooled to below room temp before starting. If it was, then as its temp rises past room temp, the difference in temperatures would be v small.
the difference in temperature should not be equla but the initial temperature should be same so that the rate of heat loss to the surrounding must be equal
driving_seat
the difference in temperature should not be equla but the initial temperature should be same so that the rate of heat loss to the surrounding must be equal

= conservation of energy. :P

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