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1.0 ABSTRACT
The experiment is carried out to determine the specific heat of three metals and compare with
accepted values. The specific heat is the amount of heat per unit mass required to raise the
temperature by one degree Celsius. Often applied to metallic elements and specific heat can
used as a basis for comparing energy absorption and transfer. In this experiment, the metals
sample will be heated to at least 70˚C then placed into a Styrofoam cups containing a known
quantity of water at a lower temperature. Having measured the mass of the water in the
Styrofoam cups, the temperature change of water will be record. Through this experiment, we
should able to find out the unknown metal by calculating the specific heat of metals. Briefly to
say, this activity is to identity the metal based on its specific heat. From the data collected, the
experimental specific heat is calculated and compare to the accepted specific heat.
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2.0 TABLE OF CONTENT
No Content Page
1 Cover Page 1
2 Abstract 2
3 Table of content 3
4 Introduction 4
5 Procedure 5
6 Result 6
7 Discussion 7
8 Conclusion 7
9 Reference 8
10 Appendices 9-11
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3.0 INTRODUCTION
The amount of heat is different for different types of things. Hence, it is important to
know the specific heat of a particular substance. The specific heat capacity is the amount of
heat that is needed to raise the temperature of 1 gram of a substance. For example, water
which has a specific heat of 1 cal/g °C, takes 1 calorie (4.186 J) of heat to raise the temperature
of 1 gram of water by 1°C. As specific heat is defined in terms of one gram of substance and a
degree of temperature rise, it also applies to other size and temperature change. Generally we
are using formula Q = m.C.ΔT. The more heat that is added per gram of substance, the greater
the temperature change. The energy released from the substance should be gained by the
water, with no loss to the surroundings. This is based on the Law of Conservation of Energy,
which states that energy is neither created nor destroyed. The objectives of this report is to
determine the specific heat of metals and compare with the accepted values.
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4.0 PROSEDURE
1. Three samples of metal are placed into a beaker of water and is heated to at least 70°C. The
2. A measured mass of cold tap water is poured into each of the Styrofoam cups. The initial
3. The metal samples are quickly removed from the hot water and is placed into separate
Styrofoam cups of water. The initial temperature of the metal is measured by measuring the
temperature of the water. The metal is fully immersed. A lid is placed on the cup and wait a few
minutes for the water to achieve thermal equilibrium. The final temperature of the water is
measured.
4. The heat gained by the water, which is equal to the heat lost by the metal is determined.
5. The specific heat is calculated using the heat loss by metal, its meal and its change in
temperature.
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5.0 RESULT
TRIAL #
1 2 3
Name of metals Al Al Al
water (°C)
of metal(cal./g°C)
metal (cal./g°C)
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6.0 DISCUSSION
In this experiment where three same metals which is Aluminum are used to obtain the
value of the specific heat for the metal. Three trials are conducted; the specific heat value is
0.232 cal/g °C, 0.168 cal/g °C, 0.266 cal/g °C respectively. The percentage error obtained for
the trials are 10.67%, 19.91% and 26.56% respectively. The percentage error obtained is due to
the errors that occurred in this experiment.The metal given which is Aluminum is not known the
originality of the metal, the composition of the metal itself is not sure to be exactly 100%
Aluminum. So the specific heat of the Aluminum is not exactly accurate with the actual specific
heat of metal.
composition to avoid inaccurate specific heat of metals. The exact time of thermal equilibrium
between water and metal should be known. The lab should be conducted in closed condition.
These precautions can be taken to improve experimental value and should be more accurate.
7.0 CONCLUSION
In conclusion,this experiment has explained that the result shown are not accurate as
the accepted specific heat of metal due to some errors mentioned in discussion. From the result
shown, the most accurate trial was the first trial, where the percentage different obtain only
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8.0 REFERENCE
2. Forinash, K., Energy Conservation and the First Law of Thermodynamics, in Physics and
http://physics .uwstout.edu/univphys1/labs/specific.htm
4. Helmenstine, P. A. (n.d.). Here's How You Define Specific Heat Capacity. Retrieved October
12, 2017, https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-specific-heat-capacity-605672
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9.0 APPENDICES
Calculation:
C= t
C= t
C= t
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Figure:
Figure 1 : Apparatus
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Figure 3 : Thermometer and Beaker containing Hot water and metal
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