OBJECTIVE: Herein, we were to find the specific heat of copper.

This was done by using a

calorimeter. We were also given the equations for specific heat and for energy.
MATERIALS: Specific heat set (copper)
Balance
Thermometer
Tap water
Hot plate
Polystyrene cup and a lid
Stirring rod
250 mL beaker
15 cm string
PROCEDURE: 1.) First, we put a half-full 250 mL beaker of water on a hot plate, which we
turned on.
2.) We then measured our copper-pieces mass and recorded it on Data Table 1.
3.) Next, we got our calorimeter (polystyrene cup), measured its mass, and
recorded it on Data Table 1.
4.) Then, we filled our calorimeter cup 2/3 up with room-temperature water,
and recorded the waters mass on Data Table 1.
5.) We then tool the temperature of our calorimeter-water and recorded it on
Data Table 2.
6.) Next we put the piece of copper in the boiling water and boiled it for 10
minutes.
7.) Then we took the temperature of the boiling water and recorded it on Data
Table 2.
8.) We then transferred the copper to the calorimeter, immediately covered the
cup.
9.) Then, through a small hole in the cups lid, we inserted a thermometer,
stirred the water and copper, and recorded the highest shown temperature on Data Table 2.
10.) Finally, we removed and dried the copper, disposed of the water and
calorimeter, and returned all non-disposables to their original places.
DATA: Data Table 1: Mass Data
Metal: Copper (Cu)
Mass of metal (g): 56.1g
Mass of calorimeter cup (g): 7.9g
Mass of calorimeter cup and water (g): 184.6g
Mass of water (g): 176.7g
Data Table 2: Temperature Data
Metal Copper (Cu)
T. of boiling water/metal: C: 104, K: 377.15
T. of water in calorimeter (pre-metal): C: 25, K: 298.15
T. of water in calorimeter (with metal): C: 26, K: 299.15
Change in T. of water in calorimeter: K: 1
Change in T. of metal K: 78

RESULTS/CALCULATIONS:
Metal: Copper (Cu)
Heat gained by water: Q=56.1(4.184 J/g*k)(274.15k)=64349.14596J
Experimental specific heat: Cp=64349.14596/56.1= 1147.043664 J/g*K
Standard specific heat: 0.387 J/g*k
Percent error: (1149.03664-0.387/0.387)*100=296293.7116

LAB QUESTIONS:
1.) The purpose of this lab was to fine the specific heat of a metal (copper) using a
calorimeter.
2.) Physical properties helping to identify the metal samples were mass and state of matter.
3.) Water is an excellent material to use in the calorimeter because it absorbs its
surroundings heat quickly.
4.) The substances that lost heat in this experiment were copper and water.
5.) The water and the copper gained heat.
6.) We observed that metals have a lower specific heat than water.
CONCLUSION: In this lab, we found the specific heat of copper. To do this we used a
calorimeter made of water and a polystyrene cup. We heated the copper in a separate container
of water, added the copper to the room-temperature calorimeter, and got its temperature. Herein,
we learned that the specific heat of metals is generally lower than that of water. We also learned
the equations for specific heat and for energy.