Physics

Experiment:
Finding the Specific Heat
Capacity of Water
Mohamed Ezaby
Mr. Ahmad Ali

Apparatus Used:
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Water
Electric Heater
Thermometer
Suitable Glass Beaker
Cotton, or any other insulation material
Stirring Rod
Balance
Stopwatch or timer

Method:
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Set up the experiment.

Record the mass of the beaker with the balance.
(m1)
Pour some water in the beaker, then record its mass.
(m2)
m2-m1=m of water
Surround the beaker with some cotton or insulating
material.
Insert thermometer into the water
Record the initial temperature of the water
Calculate the power of the heater (P=I*V) to know
the amount energy it supplies per second, (Q).
Immerse the electric heater rod completely into the
water.
Start it.
Immediately start the stopwatch or timer to record
the time.
Record the temperature of the water every minute.
Stir the water while heating.
After a while stop the electric heater and the
stopwatch.
Fill in the results in a table.

Table:
t/s

Q/J

T1

/C

T2

/C

T/C

Graph:

Conclusion:
To get shc (specific
heat capacity) use the formula:
shc =

Where:
Q=Energy supplied in Joules

Q
m T

m= Mass of water
T=Change in temperature

Precautions & Ways to

improve the results:

Use insulators to prevent heat from

escaping.
Stir the water while heating to spread
the heat.
Heat the water slowly to spread the
heat throughout the water.
Use a more sensitive thermometer.
Use a beaker with less surface area to
decrease heat loss from beaker.
Smaller water volume means that heat
is distributed more equally.
Heat the electrical heater first before
inserting it into the water.

Immerse the electrical heater

completely into the water.
Repeat and take average for optimum
results.