Andrew Harn

AP Physics
1/25/11
Calorimetry Lab

Introduction
To identify an unknown metal by determination of Specific Heat Capacity through use of calorimetric
measurements.

Materials
– Metal Sample
– Heat plate
– Steam Generator
– Calorimeter
– 2 Thermometers
– Balance

Procedure
1. Fill the bottom portion of the steam generator with water to about 1⁄2 an inch below the side arm
and place it on the hotplate. Turn the hotplate on to the maximum setting. After the water
reaches a boil the setting may be reduced to maintain a mild boil.
2. Measure the mass using the centrally located triple-beam balance.
3. Place the specimen cup in the steam generator and place the metal sample in it. Close the small
cup with a large rubber stopper that has a thermometer placed in it.
4. While waiting for sample to warm-up, prepare the lid of the calorimeter for measurement by
placing the second thermometer through the rubber stopper. Remove the single-hole stopper
from the lid and use vacuum grease to prevent braking of the thermometer while pushing it
through the stopper. Make sure that thermometer reaches to about half of the calorimeter’s inner
cup.
5. Remove the inner (smaller) cup from the calorimeter, measure its empty mass, and record the
value.
6. Fill the inner cup of the calorimeter about 1⁄2 full and measure the total mass. Take the difference
between this measurement and the mass of the empty cup to determine the mass of the water.
7. Place the inner cup back into the calorimeter, place the lid on top of it, allow the system to
thermally equilibrate then measure the temperature of the water / aluminum cup and record the
value.
8. When steam begins flowing from the steam generator, measure the temperature of the metal
sample. When the temperature does not change for 2 or 3 minutes, quickly pour the metal
sample into the calorimeter. Do not splash out any water since this will change the mass value
measured earlier.
9. Immediately replace the cover on the calorimeter and begin to stir gently.
10. Watch the thermometer and record the temperature when it reaches a maximum. You will know
that this is the case when the temperature does not change for 2 or 3 minutes. This value is the
final or equilibrium temperature.
Data
Temperature of water + aluminum cup = 22oC
Temperature of sample = 92oC
Temperature of equilibrium = 26oC
Mass of sample = 17.91g
Mass of aluminum cup = 20.7g
Mass of water = 128.5g

Results
J
Specific Heat Capacity of Sample = 2348
kg⋅K

Calculations
Q sw⋅m w⋅ΔT w + s Al⋅mAl⋅Δ T Al
s= =
m ΔT m obj⋅ΔT obj
J J
4186 ⋅0.1592 kg⋅4 K + 900 ⋅0.0307 kg⋅4 K
kg⋅K kg⋅K J
s= =2348
.01791 kg⋅66 K kg⋅K

Conclusions
The result is reasonable, as a metal is expected to have a SPC of lower than water. The boiling portion
of the lab is not completely accurate as temperature is still rising while the sample is taken out.
Furthermore, in the calorimeter, stirring adds energy into the system. With that taken into account, the
resulting temperature should be a bit lower, and the SPC of the metal should also be lower.