Physics 41 Calorimetry:

Determination of Specific Heat Capacity of Copper

Introduction: The specific heat c of a material is defined to be the amount of energy needed to
raise the temperature of 1 kilogram of the material by one degree Celsius (or Kelvin). The unit
for heat is the same as that for energy, except that today, instead of using the SI unit of joules we
will use calories for the purpose of calculation, and report our results for the specific heat of two
metals in both calories/g °C and joules/ kilogram K (the SI units of specific heat.). There are
1000 of these calories (with a small c) in 1 food Calorie (with a capital C). The unit for
temperature is the Celsius degree. The Celsius degree is defined by saying that there are 100-
Celsius degrees between the freezing point (0°C) and the boiling point of water (100°C). The
specific heat of water c = 1 cal/(g°C), which means it takes 1 cal of energy to raise the
temperature of 1 gram of water by 1°C.
Suppose we wanted to increase the temperature of 50 g of water by 10°C. How much heat energy
would we have to add? The answer is Q = 1 cal/(g°C) x 50 g x 10°C = 500 cal. In general if the
temperature of a material of mass, m, and specific heat, c, is changed from an initial temperature
of Ti to a final temperature Tf, the heat added (to warm) or subtracted (to cool) is given by:

Q = m c (Tf - Ti) or Q = mcT

The value of cal for aluminum is 0.215cal/g oC. The specific heat of water is 1.00 cal/g oC. The
specific heat of copper is 0.0923 cal/g oC
Apparatus
Computer, LoggerPro software, Vernier LabPro, temperature probe, calorimeter with stirrer,
electronic scale, Copper shots, hot plate, aluminum boiler and sample container, and digital
thermometer. Ice bucket

Procedure

Thermal Probe Calibration

Fill the aluminum boiler about half full of water and put it on the hot plate to get the water
boiling. In the plastic beaker make ice water. Use the digital thermometer to check before
calibrating the Logger Pro thermal probe.

You will first calibrate your thermal/temperature probe using the freezing and boiling
points of water as shown by your instructor. Make sure you confirm this maximum
temperature with the digital thermometer. Again, record this temperature in the calibration
box. Click on “done” to complete the calibration process. If your thermal probe is off
somewhat, make a note of any corrections you should make to your later measurements.

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 1. Determine the mass of the inner calorimeter cup and stirrer and record it in the data
sheet.
2. Fill the aluminum shot container about half way with copper shot and find the mass of
each and record it in the data sheet.

To Computer Interface

Temperature Probe
Water

Calorimeter

Copper Shot

3. Place the container with the shot in the top of the boiler and let it heat until the temperature of
the shot reaches an equilibrium temperature, which will be close to 100°C.

4. Fill the cup about half full of water at a temperature between 20°C and 25°C and measure
and record the mass of the cup, stirrer and water. (After recording the mass, place the inner cup
inside the insulating jacket of the calorimeter.)

5. Place the Logger pro temperature probe in the calorimeter and leave it there to reach an
equilibrium temperature with the water and calorimeter. This is the initial temperature of the
water and calorimeter.

6. When the copper shot reaches an equilibrium temperature, record it in the data sheet. Use the
digital thermometer to measure it. This will be the initial temperature of the copper shot.

7. Return to LoggerPro program file, click the collect button, and pour the hot metal shots into
the water taking care not to lose any water by splashing.

8. Stir until equilibrium has been reached and from the graph read values for the initial
and the final temperature of the calorimeter water and copper. Keep a copy of the logger pro
file showing the final temperature of the copper water-cup combination.

9. Calculate specific heat capacity of copper. Show this calculation (do it by hand). Also
calculate an uncertainty using propagation of error in your mass and temperature measurements.
Write the final value in standard form.

Write an Abstract summarizing your results. Be sure to answer: What is the discrepancy
between your experimental value and the accepted value? Is the true value in your range of
experimental values? Discuss your uncertainty and experimental errors. Attach data table,
loggerpro plot and hand calculations from each lab partner.
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