CONDUCTIVITY OF A GOOD CONDUCTOR

EXPT NO. Total Marks: 8

AIM: To Determine The Thermal Conductivity Of A Good Conductor By Searles Method.

WORKING PRINCIPLE:

The thermal conductivity of a good conductor is given by

k= msd(4 3)
tA( 1 2)
where, A cross-sectional area of the good conducting bar in cm2
d the distance between the two ends of the bar in cm.
1 & 2the steady temps of the two ends of the bar when steam is passed through the bar in 0C
m the mass of the water passed through the good conducting bar in gm.
s the sp. Heat of the water
t the time during which water is passed through the conductor
3 & 4the steady temps of the two ends of the bar when water is passed through the bar in 0C
In S.I unit, k is obtained in Wm-1K-1.

APPARATUS USED:
A copper rod fitted with a steam chamber at one end and a water chamber at the other end.
Four thermometers.
A boiler
A heater
Stop watch
Measuring cylinder

Table 1: Recording of temperatures at four different points on the copper rod (2)

No. of Time in Thermometer Readings

Obs. Minutes T1 T2 T3 T4 Difference Difference
(1) 0C (2) 0C (3) 0C (4) 0C ( 1~ 2) 0C ( 4~3) 0C
0
8
12
16
20
24
28
Table 2: Time of flow (t) and the mass(m) of the water collected (2)

Temperature of water collected = 0C

No. Of Time of Volume of Density of Mass of m/t Mean

Obs collection(t) water water() water (gm/sec) m/t
(sec) collected (V) at 0C m = V (gm/sec)
c.c (gm/c.c) (gm)

Table 3: Determination of k (3)

Rate of flow sp. Heat of Cross Distance(d) Value of

0 o
(m/t) kg/sec water at C ( 1~ 2) C (4 ~ 3) sectional (m) k
From Table 2 from Table oC from area(A) Wm-1K-1
J kg-1 K-1 1 Table 1 (m2)
4200

SHOW CALCULATION: K = msd(4 ~ 3) Wm-1K-1

tA( 1 ~ 2)

PERCENTAGE ERROR: (Show Calculation) (1)

K V 2 2 t V = minimum division in the measuring cylinder,

K V (1 ~ 2 ) ( 4 ~ 3 ) t t = smallest division of the stop watch,
V, 1, 2 , 3 , 4 are highest measured values.
K
Percentage error =
K
100% (1 2 ) summation of minimum division of
thermometers T1 and T2
( 4 3 ) summation of minimum division of
thermometers T3and T4

PRECAUTIONS:

1. Water should be collected after the steady state has been attained.
2. Air bubbles should be avoided while collecting the water.
 3. The temperature difference (4 3) and (1 2 ) should be noted carefully to minimize the error in its
measurements.
4. This experiment uses steam heating. Care should be taken to avoid touching the hot surfaces of the
steam generator and tubing and to make sure that the steam outlet tube from the apparatus goes to a sink.

5. To minimize the errors the mass of water collected should be measured carefully and the time of
collection of water should be noted carefully.

PROCEDURE:
1. Fill the boiler with water up to the given mark and place it on the heater.
2. Switch on the heater and let the water boil.
3. When steam comes out from a rubber tube attached to one end of the copper rod, start to take the
readings of the four thermometers at an interval of 2 mins. At the same time open the tap and let the
water flow through the other end of the conductor. The flow of water should be so controlled so that the
temperature difference between the inlet and outlet water pipe should not exceed 10oC.
4. When all the four thermometers show a steady temperature, collect water from the outlet tube in a
measuring cylinder for a certain time.