Specific Heat Capacity Investigation Zia Ismail

Raw Data:
Below are the raw data tables for the material that was tested, Bronze. Each trial was done just once due
to limited time, and for each time, the temperature, voltage and current were recorded. These
measurement of voltmeter and ammeter were taken from connecting leads connecting both to a power
supply and the available metal block. The temperature was measured using a thermometer that was
inserted into the metal block and was measured for 10 minutes or 600 seconds.
The uncertainties in each measurement were calculated by taking half of the unit of measurement. The
range
equation was not used as no more than one trial was taken. The voltmeter and ammeter used
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were both analogue, with the smallest measurement of the voltmeter being 0.5V and the smallest
measurement of the ammeter being 0.1A.
Time was given an error of ±0.1. This is because the experiment that was done gave way for much
random error. The temperature was given an error of ±0.05 due to the time between the trial time and the
time it took to read the temperature.
Bronze

Temperature Potential Current Time Mass

(° C ± 0.05) Difference (A ± 0.05) (s ± 0.1) (kg ± 0.1)
(V ± 0.25)
26.0 9.5 0.00 0.0 0.98
27.0 9.5 3.10 60 0.98
29.8 9.5 3.10 120 0.98
33.5 9.5 3.10 180 0.98
37.8 9.5 3.10 240 0.98
42.2 9.5 3.10 300 0.98
47.8 9.5 3.10 360 0.98
51.5 9.5 3.10 420 0.98
55.8 9.5 3.10 480 0.98
59.8 9.5 3.10 540 0.98
63.6 9.5 3.10 600 0.98
Table 1: Raw data table documenting the data for Bronze with mass 980g (≈ 0.98kg)

Processed Data:
The energy supplied by the heater equals the energy received by the aluminum block. The energy
supplied by the heater is given by the equation, Energy=VIt , and the energy received is given by the
equation, Q=mc ∆ T . This means that VIt=m c ∆T .

According to the internet, the average value for the specific heat capacity of Bronze is 370 J/g ℃ .

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Specific Heat Capacity Investigation Zia Ismail

To calculate the energy that was supplied by the heater to the Bronze block, we will utilize the following
calculation:

energy=VIt
The voltage will be equal to 12, as this was a constant throughout the experiment. The current will be
equal to 3.1 as this was the value given by the ammeter all through the experiment. The experiment was
ran for 10 minutes. A simple conversion will allow minutes to be converted to seconds: 10 ×60=600 s .

These values will simply be substituted into the equation to obtain,

energy=9.5× 3.1× 600

¿ 17670 J
In order to find the change in temperature (∆ T ¿ between when the experiment began and after the 10
minutes, the previous equations can be rearranged to form the following equation,
Q
∆T=
c
Taking the previous value that was retrieved from the internet, c can be substituted for 370 J. Q has been
calculated previously and was shown to have a value of 22320 J. Substituting these:
17670
∆T=
370
∆ T =47.7568℃
∆ T ≈ 48 ℃
In order to calculate the specific heat capacity, c, the equation Q=mc ∆ T . Algebraically, the equation
Q
can be rearranged to make c the subject. The result will be c= . Substituting the previously
m∆T
calculated values into the equation, the following will be obtained,
17670
c=
0.98 × 48
∴ c=378 J / g℃
As shown, the obtained value through the experiment done was roughly 8 J off the value obtained from
the internet.

Graph:

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Specific Heat Capacity Investigation Zia Ismail

Observations:
During the experiment, it was observed that as time increased, so did the temperature. The voltage
remained at the set value, the current remained at the resulting value and, of course, the mass stayed
constant. The increase in the temperature was due to the increase in the length of time of energy supplied
to the metal block which allowed for more heat to be retained within the metal. Every consecutive minute,
a recording was taken of time, temperature, voltage and current until 10 minutes has passed. These 10
points were done to allow for accurate results when calculating the specific heat capacity of the metal
block. The raw data for time and temperature are both displayed on the graph displaying a straight line
and therefore a steady increase. This proves that time and temperature are directly proportional. The
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gradient of this graph shows , showing that the higher the gradient, the lower the heat capacity. Because
c
the energy supplied by the heater equals the energy received by the aluminum block, VIt =mc ∆T .
VIt t
Rearranging this equation, we can get c= where is the inverse of the gradient which is
m∆T ∆T
1 ∆T
equivalent to . Rearranging this equation to isolate this gradient, the gradient would be . The value
c t
of the gradient is 0.0672, as shown on the graph.
VIt
Using the equation c= , the appropriate values can be substituted into the equation to obtain,
m∆T
9.5 ×3.1 ×1
c=
0.98 ×0.0672

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Specific Heat Capacity Investigation Zia Ismail

c=447.188 J /g ℃
In order to find the uncertainty in the value calculated from the graph, the rules for propagation of
ab ∆ y ∆a ∆b ∆c
uncertainties can be used where if y= then = + + .
c y a b c

Substituting the appropriate values into the formula, ( 0.1 +

0.05 0.1
+
9.5 3.1 600 ) +(
0.1 0.05
0.98 48 )
+ =0.1299 ≈ 0.13

Conclusion:
Specific heat capacity is the amount of thermal energy required for a substance to raise its temperature by
1K. As seen in the processed data, the obtained value for the specific heat capacity of the bronze block
was 378 J/g℃ , the value for specific heat capacity obtained from the graph was 447 J / g ℃ whilst the
literature value was 370 J/g℃ . The value obtained solely through calculation was roughly 8 J off the
literature value, and the value obtained from the gradient of the graph was roughly 5 J off the literature
value. These values show error in how the experiment was pursued. In order to calculate the percentage

difference, the equation |k −gg|× 100 can be used.

¿|k −gg|× 100

378−370
=|
370 |
×100

= 0.021622 ×100
= 2.16216% error
≈ 2.2 %

This experiment outlines experimentally calculating the value of the specific heat capacity, c, of a bronze
block. In terms of being successfully able to calculate the specific heat capacity of bronze, the value
calculated (c=378 J /g ℃ ) compared to the literature value of the specific heat capacity of bronze (
c=370 J /g ℃ ), were decently close, but still had some distance between them. Taking into
consideration the value of the percentage error, it is assumed that the experimental value could draw
closer to the literature value. Using calculation, we can reach this answer:

¿ ( 378
370
×100 )−2.2

¿ 99.9622

¿ ( 99.9622
100 )
×370

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Specific Heat Capacity Investigation Zia Ismail

¿ 369.86 J / g℃
Therefore, if the error was taken into consideration it would be safe to assume that had the procedure
contained less error, the literature value could nearly have been reached.
According to the specific heat capacity obtained from the graph, the bronze block was harder to change
the temperature of, likely due to the errors preventing accurate results such as the air in the room having
contact with the thermometer. The specific heat capacity was much higher than the literature value, which
gave room for questioning on the reliability of the error in the procedure. As there is obvious error, the
percentage difference can be calculated:

¿|k −gg|× 100

447−370
=|
370 |
×100

= 0.2081 ×100
= 20.81% error
≈ 21 %

Further calculation can show whether the literature value could have been reached had the error been
minimized.

447
¿ ( 370 ×100 ) −21

¿ 99.81

¿ ( 99.81
100 )
×370

¿ 369.3 J /g ℃
It can be seen that if this error was taken into consideration, the calculated value could have drawn nearer
to the literature value, but further than the processed data value had been. This shows more accuracy in
the theoretical calculations from the results collected from the experiment rather than the actual gradient
retrieved from a graph of temperature against time.

Errors:
The data that was collected and used to calculate the specific heat capacity of a bronze block draws near
to the literature value found online. However, it is not exact. This proves an extent of accuracy and
precision when collecting the data, but due to random error, the results were not entirely reliable as the
correct value was no reached. The experiment was relevant in that it proved the literature value for the
specific heat capacity to be true. It would explain that bronze requires 370 J of thermal energy for 1kg of

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Specific Heat Capacity Investigation Zia Ismail

the substance to raise its temperature by 1K. This conclusion agrees with the science behind the specific
heat capacity. Literature values varied depending on where they were retrieved, however, the obtained
matched the literature value used in this experiment. Although there was a lack of reports done on
determining the specific heat capacity of bronze specifically, there are multiple other done on other
metals supporting the data collection methods used in this experiment. For example, BBC Bitesize
carrying out an experiment on determining the specific heat capacity of an aluminum block, but using a
power supply, 50W immersion heater and a 1kg metal block.

The method used was to provide energy in the form of a voltmeter and power supply by connecting leads
to an immersion heater inserted into a block of metal, in this case, bronze. A thermometer is inserted in a
separate hole beside the immersion heater that is not touched nor moved throughout the process after
being placed down. The temperature was recorded before any energy was sent through to the metal block
to act as a control in the experiment, as well as the voltage and current. As the energy supply is switched
on, a timer is started to record time intervals. Each minute, the temperature, voltage, and current are all
measure, all put in a table alongside the time and mass. This method showed the specific heat capacity of
bronze, not taking into consideration the energy lost to the insulating air surrounding the block. This
method also allowed for good and accurate results when done correctly with minimal error. The data
allowed for a calculation to be done in order to draw up a final result that was compared to the literature
value of c. This method allowed for conclusions to be drawn on the reliability of the method as well as
proof based on collected data. It appears from the minimal percentage error that the main barrier
preventing this method from being completely accurate, reliable and precise are random errors that could
have been improved through concentration on the perfection of the experiment setup or perhaps more
repeats. The elimination of systematic errors, such as a faulty ammeter, would improve the accuracy of
the results, however, it would not have impacted the precision. A piece of data would have only been
valid had it been both accurate and precise, therefore making it reliable. Random errors prevent this, and
will be discussed further.
There were some issues that were encountered during the experiment that were easily and quickly
overcome. Before beginning the experiment, an ammeter was utilized that appeared to be broken as it
gave a negative number when used. However, a simple switch of equipment for an improved ammeter
allowed to achieve a more accurate value for current which was 3.1A. Another issue that was easily
overcome was the exposure of the hot metal to bare skin. There were times when it was necessary to
touch the hot metal, such as at the end to pack it away, which could potentially create surface burns on
skin. This was prevented using thick gloves to carry the metal. In order to prevent the metal from causing
damage to the surface the experiment was done on, a relatively thick sheet of asbestos was placed
underneath as protection.
There were multiple errors during the experiment, mostly due to human error and the lack of equipment
to ensure the experiment was carried out to perfection. During the experiment, a timer was used to record
the time intervals. This may not have been a large error during the experiment as it didn’t rely heavily on
reaction time, but there were instances in which the temperature, voltage and current were not measured
on time. There was not much difference in the types or extents of the errors as all trials were done in the
same way. What appeared to be the main issue was that when the block was heated, unintentionally, the
surroundings were too. There was no insulator that would reduce heat loss to surroundings meaning that
energy was lost in the system. Due to this loss of energy, it can be said that the value calculated for the
specific heat capacity would be too high. A major, but less significant issue, was that the thermometer
was inserted into a specific hole near the center of the block beside the immersion heater. This meant that

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Specific Heat Capacity Investigation Zia Ismail

the temperature of only a certain area was measured. There was an additional issue in which the
thermometer did not fit the hole perfectly, being slightly too small. This allowed air into the hole the
thermometer was inserted into which possibly changed the temperature, making it less accurate. Another
major issue was that there were issues with the power source, in that a proper voltage was not given. This
could have been due to power surges or high-voltage spikes.
In the graph of temperature versus time, the original data was used, and a steady trend was revealed. Time
appeared to be directly proportional to temperature in that as the time increased, so did the temperature.
This meant that for the most part, the point hovered along a mutual line of best fit. There was just one
data point in the beginning which lay slightly further past the line of best fit which were due to issues
associated with the power supply. However, all other points generally followed the same line with no
other extreme anomalies. If this experiment were to be repeated, it is likely that the data could be more
accurate and precise because the in doing this experiment a first time, majority of the errors in the method
were identified and could therefore be eliminated in repeating this experiment. The results would likely
be similar with fitting closely in a line and the temperature increasing as time increases. Hence, the error
in this particular experiment could be reduced and the final calculation of the specific heat capacity of
bronze would be closer to the literature value of 370 J/kg℃ .

Improvements:
There are multiple improvements that could be made to this experiment to ensure more accurate and
precise results should this experiment be completed in the future. Due to energy being lost to the
surroundings, the value retrieved was higher than the literature value. This could be fixed by providing
some form of insultation to store heat to a Styrofoam or polystyrene casing that would ensure that no
energy is lost to the surroundings. The air around the thermometer could have impacted the recordings
taken for heat. This could have been fixed by making the hole smaller with a conductive material or using
a metal block that has a slightly smaller and more compact designated area for the thermometer to be
inserted. A more inconveniencing issue that could still be improved nonetheless was the issues with the
apparatus used. There were issues with the ammeter in that a negative number was achieved which was
incorrect considering the science behind the lab. We had another issue with a different ammeter in that it
stopped working before we could begin the experiment. In order to prevent this, several different
ammeters should be tested prior to the experiment to ensure that they are working to the best of their
ability and that the results taken are as accurate as possible. Continuous attentiveness should be shown to
the experiment to ensure that there is minimal time between when the minute to be recorded passes and
when the recordings for voltage, current and temperature are taken.
These improvements may not cause a drastic change in the conclusion as the results are still relatively
precise and accurate. However, if these improvements are taken into consideration for the experiment, it
is likely that the value of the specific heat capacity of bronze would draw much closer to the literature
value and therefore make this experiment and the results obtained more reliable. This will not change the
overall conclusion but will lessen the error and make this experiment more conclusive in determining the
specific heat capacity of bronze.

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Specific Heat Capacity Investigation Zia Ismail