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Specific Heat Capacity - Physics GCSE Practical

Hii, I have memorised the SHC practical through the freesciencelesson video on YouTube. However, in the video he only goes through how to determine the specific heat capacity of vegetable oil. If I got asked a question on how to investigate the SHC for a solid material e.g copper or aluminium, then how would I change the practical I have learnt?

Thank you for all you support.

Reply 1

Original post
by medstudywiz
Hii, I have memorised the SHC practical through the freesciencelesson video on YouTube. However, in the video he only goes through how to determine the specific heat capacity of vegetable oil. If I got asked a question on how to investigate the SHC for a solid material e.g copper or aluminium, then how would I change the practical I have learnt?
Thank you for all you support.

Use a solid block (e.g. copper or aluminium) with a hole for an electric heater and as second one for a thermometer (it is better a thermocouple).
Insulate the block to minimise heat loss.
Weigh (m) the block and express it in kg
Record the initial and final temperatures with a thermometer in the hole, expressed in °C.
Calculate the energy input using the power and time values from the electric heater E= (P x t), E expressed in Joule, P in Watt, and t in hours seconds.
Use the formula to find the specific heat capacity (SHC). E = c x m x delta T, solve for c. c is expressed as J/kg°C
Krgds,
The flag of Italy.png
Sandro
My signature: "Regardless of where you may be, expressing gratitude is a universally cherished gesture."
(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 2

Original post
by Nitrotoluene
Use a solid block (e.g. copper or aluminium) with a hole for an electric heater and as second one for a thermometer (it is better a thermocouple).
Insulate the block to minimise heat loss.
Weigh (m) the block and express it in kg
Record the initial and final temperatures with a thermometer in the hole, expressed in °C.
Calculate the energy input using the power and time values from the electric heater E= (P x t), E expressed in Joule, P in Watt, and t in hours.
Use the formula to find the specific heat capacity (SHC). E = c x m x delta T, solve for c. c is expressed as J/kg°C
Krgds,
The flag of Italy.pngSandro
My signature: "Regardless of where you may be, expressing gratitude is a universally cherished gesture."



I do believe the time should be in seconds rather than hours in this case, since 1 watt is equivalent to a joule per second.

Looking at the units, s x J/s = J.

Otherwise, your post seems fine.

Reply 3

Original post
by TypicalNerd
I do believe the time should be in seconds rather than hours in this case, since 1 watt is equivalent to a joule per second.
Looking at the units, s x J/s = J.
Otherwise, your post seems fine.

I was distracted for a second.
Typical Nerd👍️👍️Watt = Joules per second.
Thank you very much,
Sandro

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