Heat and Specific Heat Capacity

HEAT AND SPECIFIC HEAT CAPACITY

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 Heat and Specific Heat Capacity

Purpose of The Experiment

The main aim was to calculate the specific heat capacity of water, c, and current, I that
passes through a kettle. In addition, an approximate value for the power, p, of a stove plate was
to be determined, and sources of errors in the results were to be discussed.
Theory
Heat is energy in motion from or to a thermodynamic arrangement by other means apart

from thermodynamic work or matter transfer. In heat transfer, more than one system is involved

but not a characteristic of any structure, just like thermodynamic work. Heat energy transferred

contributes to alteration in the cardinal energy state variable of the arrangement. The quantity of

heat energy transferred in a process is the quantity of energy transferred without including

thermodynamic work that was involved & any other power that the matter moved contained. For

the detailed and precise explanation of heat, it is required that heat is transferred in a way that it

will not include matter transfer. In some specific kinds of processes, the amount of matter moved

can be determined by its impacts on the interacting bodies states. For instance, on some

occasions, the transfer of heat can be determined by a change of temperature of the body or

amount of ice melted in the environment of the system. These occasions are referred to as

calorimetry. The sign used to designate the amount of heat moved in the thermodynamic process

is Q. The joule (J) is the SI unit of heat (Agne, 2018, 83-88).

One of the physical properties of matter is Heat capacity, which is explained as the

amount of heat that is needed to cause a unit change in temperature of a given mass of material.

The joule /kelvin (J/K) is the S.I. Unit of the heat capacity. A material gains heat energy when

heated. The molecules and atoms of the material move with more incredible speeds since their

kinetic energy are increased. The temperature supplied to the particles is directly proportional to

the average kinetic energy if the particles. This is because when a substance is heated, the

average value of the K.E of the atoms or molecules increases, causing the temperature to rise.

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 Heat and Specific Heat Capacity

When a sense is cooled or heated, its temperature change, ∆T, will depend on the substance and

the material from which the essence is made from. For instance, when a similar quantity of

energy is supplied to a 2kg mass and a 1kg mass of aluminium, the change in temperature of the

different masses is found to be distinct. Also, on the other hand, the difference in temperature for

1kg of aluminium and 1kg of copper when the same amount of heat is supplied to each metal is

different. Also, the change in temperature of a material depends on specific capacity as the

characteristics of a material. The specific heat capacity, c, is the minimum quantity of energy

needed to raise the temperature of 1kg of a material by 1 oC. The specific heat capacity of a

material is stated in joules per kilogram degree Celsius (Jkg-1oC-1) (Xia, 2016, 220-223).

The heat energy E h , which is required to be delivered to the material of specific

capacity, c&mass, m to increase its temperature by ∆ t is demonstrated by the following equation.
E h=cm ∆ t
Where
 Eh is given in (J)
 ∆ t is measured in oC
 c is given in joules (Jkg-1oC-1).
 m is measured in kilograms (kg)
This equation can be utilized to determine the heat that is dissipated out of a material as it chills.
The amount of energy converted or transferred by unit time is referred to as power.
Power has the S.I. Unit of the watt, which is similar to one joule/ second. Power is a scalar
quantity. Electrical energy is dependent on the charge moved and the voltage involved. This can
be expressed as

PE=qV where

V is the voltage the charge moves through

q is the charge moved.

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 Heat and Specific Heat Capacity

The rate at which energy is moved is power & so electric power is:

The electrical power, P supplied to a system is given by

P(t)=V (t ) x I (t)

Where

P(t) is the power which is given in joules/ second or watts

V(t) is the potential difference the circuit, and it is presented in volts

I(t) is circuit current that passes via it, and it is given in amperes

If the component is a resistor with time-invariant voltage to current ratio, then:

P=V x I =¿ R x I 2¿ V 2¿ R

Where

R=V / I is measured in ohms.

The power that is given out by the resistor and supplied by a voltage source in a simple
circuit component with a single resistor and one voltage source is identical. In a more
complicated circuit component, P can be the power given out by a single device and not the total
power in the element. The power associated with any electronic or electrical circuit is an
important aspect. Electric energy is converted to heat when an electric current passes through a
resistor. This aspect is utilized in electric heaters, which contains a resistor through which current
pass (Luo, 2017, 172-175). It is also used in electric bulbs to heat element so that it glows white-
hot and provide light. Most of the time, smell currents and resistors are used so that the amount
of heat generated will be small.

In contrast, if some current pass, then some heat is given out. In this situation, the heat produced
represents the quantity of power being given out. In terms of an electric circuit, the rate per unit

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 Heat and Specific Heat Capacity

time at which an electric component moves electrical energy is called electric power. However, it
is also the rate of doing work.

So from the definition, it is seen that:

W =VQt but since Q t is equaled to current, I

Therefore, upon substituting we get

W =V I where

Iis current in amperes

W is the power in watts

t is time in seconds

Q is charge in coulombs and

V is the potential difference in volts

Material

1. Saucepan with lid

2. Kettle (water boiler)
3. Water
4. Stopwatch
5. Thermometer
6. Measuring cup
Methods
A) kettle
1 kg of water equivalent to one litre was measured and left for a couple of hours to reach
approximate room temperature. The starting temperature at 0 s was measured and recorded. The

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 Heat and Specific Heat Capacity

power, p, of the kettle was also determined and recorded. The time, t taken by water to start
boiling was measured, and the temperature difference, ΔT , was noted. Water specific heat
capacity, c, and the current I, through the heating coil in the kettle, were calculated. The
reasonableness of the results was examined.
B) Stove
1 kg of water was measured and poured into a saucepan. The saucepan was allowed to
stand for a few hours for the water to reach a temperature the same as the room temperature. The
starting temperature at 0 s was also measured. The saucepan with the water was placed on a
sufficiently large hob, and the highest power was set and put on a lid. The time t, taken by water
to start boiling, was measured, and the temperature differenceΔ T was noted. The water-specific
heat capacity table was used to calculate the plate power, p.

Results and Calculations

The results of the experiment were tabulated, as shown below:
Part A
The kettle power P rating was found to be 2400 W . And by using a digital cooking
thermometer, the initial water temperature was measured to be 19 ℃(with two significant
digits). The water was then placed into the kettle and time, Δt , taken by water to start boiling,
was measured with a stopwatch to be 150 s.

Part B
The water was poured down into a stainless-steel saucepan that had a mass of 656 g .
And with a thermometer, the initial water temperate was determined to 19 ℃. The saucepan was
then placed with a lid onto a sufficiently large hob, which was set to the highest power, and the
time taken by water to boil was determined to be 248 s .
Calculations of the experiment.
Part A
The specific heat capacity is given by

Q=c ∙ m∙ Δ T
m=1 kg

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 Heat and Specific Heat Capacity

ΔT =100−19=81oC
Electrical energy, Q=Pt
¿ 2.4 kW x 150 s
¿ 360 kJ
Q
Since c=
m ∆T
360
¿
1kg × 81
¿ 4.444 kJ/Kg/ oC

The heating current through the heating coil in the kettle:

P=IV
I =P/V
2400
¿ =10 A
240
Part B
The plate power, P of the stove:
The energy supplied to the water Q=Pt
P=Q /t
¿ 4186 /248 s
¿ 16.88 W

Discussion
Several errors have been encountered during the experiment and after the investigation,
according to the results and the calculations of the experiment. The random error that can be
identified in this experiment is the inconsistent power supply. The length of the unnecessary wire
of extension was long; hence higher resistance was experienced by the current when passing
through it. The other error is that the thermocouple end could have touched the heated steel
inside the electric kettle, causing inconsistency increase in temperature of the steel. Due to these
errors, there are precautionary measures that can be utilized to avoid massive mistakes in the
experiment. The thermocouple end should be fixed with a clip or tape to prevent it from getting

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 Heat and Specific Heat Capacity

too close to the heated steel. A short extension can be recommended to avoid unnecessary
resistance due to the length of the wing.

The electric kettle was observed to be efficient for heating than the stove (Ferrer, 2017, 1-
6). The electric kettle is better in transferring energy since it took less time as compared to the
stove. This could be due to reasons such as inconsistent power supply by the stove or the
presence of wing in the area where the experiment was performed. The results and calculations
of the investigation were not as expected because of the experimental errors encountered. The
main aim of the experiment was achieved.

According to the results collected

from this experiment and
calculations, several errors have
been
identified throughout the
experiment and after the
experiment. First and foremost,
due to the vibration
caused by the kettle as it boiled the
water inside, the weighing scale
could not read the exact mass of
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 Heat and Specific Heat Capacity

the water resulting inconsistent

reading. Next, the thermocouple
end could have touched the heat-
steel
inside the kettle unconsciously by
the students which then cause a
drastic increase of temperature.
This can be categorized as
illegitimate error. One of the
random errors that could be
mentioned is the
unstable power supply. The
unnecessary extension of the
power supply was long and cause
high
resistance in the circuit.

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 Heat and Specific Heat Capacity

Due to these errors, there are a lot

of ways and precautions that can
be taken to improve the
data obtained in the experiment.
First, the thermocouple can be
fixed in the inside wall of the
kettle
with tape or clip to prevent from
getting too close to the heat-steel.
Then, a layer of cloth can be
placed between the kettle and the
weighing scale to minimize the
vibrations. Lastly, a short
extension
to prevent unnecessary excess
resistance due to the length of wire

10 | P a g e
 Heat and Specific Heat Capacity

According to the results collected

from this experiment and
calculations, several errors have
been
identified throughout the
experiment and after the
experiment. First and foremost,
due to the vibration
caused by the kettle as it boiled the
water inside, the weighing scale
could not read the exact mass of
the water resulting inconsistent
reading. Next, the thermocouple
end could have touched the heat-
steel

11 | P a g e
 Heat and Specific Heat Capacity

inside the kettle unconsciously by

the students, which then cause a
drastic increase of temperature.
This can be categorized as
illegitimate error. One of the
random errors that could be
mentioned is the
unstable power supply. The
unnecessary extension of the
power supply was long and cause
high
resistance in the circuit.
Due to these errors, there are a lot
of ways and precautions that can
be taken to improve the
data obtained in the experiment.
First, the thermocouple can be
12 | P a g e
 Heat and Specific Heat Capacity

fixed in the inside wall of the

kettle
with tape or clip to prevent from
getting too close to the heat-steel.
Then, a layer of cloth can be
placed between the kettle and the
weighing scale to minimize the
vibrations. Lastly, a short
extension
to prevent unnecessary excess
resistance due to the length of wire
According to the results collected
from this experiment and
calculations, several errors have
been
identified throughout the
experiment and after the
13 | P a g e
 Heat and Specific Heat Capacity

experiment. First and foremost,

due to the vibration
caused by the kettle as it boiled the
water inside, the weighing scale
could not read the exact mass of
the water resulting inconsistent
reading. Next, the thermocouple
end could have touched the heat-
steel
inside the kettle unconsciously by
the students which then cause a
drastic increase of temperature.
This can be categorized as
illegitimate error. One of the
random errors that could be
mentioned is the

14 | P a g e
 Heat and Specific Heat Capacity

unstable power supply. The

unnecessary extension of the
power supply was long and cause
high
resistance in the circuit.
Due to these errors, there are a lot
of ways and precautions that can
be taken to improve the
data obtained in the experiment.
First, the thermocouple can be
fixed in the inside wall of the
kettle
with tape or clip to prevent from
getting too close to the heat-steel.
Then, a layer of cloth can be
placed between the kettle and the
weighing scale to minimize the
15 | P a g e
 Heat and Specific Heat Capacity

vibrations. Lastly, a short

extension
to prevent unnecessary excess
resistance due to the length of wire
According to the results collected
from this experiment and
calculations, several errors have
been
identified throughout the
experiment and after the
experiment. First and foremost,
due to the vibration
caused by the kettle as it boiled the
water inside, the weighing scale
could not read the exact mass of
the water resulting inconsistent
reading. Next, the thermocouple
16 | P a g e
 Heat and Specific Heat Capacity

end could have touched the heat-

steel
inside the kettle unconsciously by
the students which then cause a
drastic increase of temperature.
This can be categorized as
illegitimate error. One of the
random errors that could be
mentioned is the
unstable power supply. The
unnecessary extension of the
power supply was long and cause
high
resistance in the circuit.
Due to these errors, there are a lot
of ways and precautions that can
be taken to improve the
17 | P a g e
 Heat and Specific Heat Capacity

data obtained in the experiment.

First, the thermocouple can be
fixed in the inside wall of the
kettle
with tape or clip to prevent from
getting too close to the heat-steel.
Then, a layer of cloth can be
placed between the kettle and the
weighing scale to minimize the
vibrations. Lastly, a short
extension
to prevent unnecessary excess
resistance due to the length of wire
According to the results collected
from this experiment and
calculations, several errors have
been
18 | P a g e
 Heat and Specific Heat Capacity

identified throughout the

experiment and after the
experiment. First and foremost,
due to the vibration
caused by the kettle as it boiled the
water inside, the weighing scale
could not read the exact mass of
the water resulting inconsistent
reading. Next, the thermocouple
end could have touched the heat-
steel
inside the kettle unconsciously by
the students which then cause a
drastic increase of temperature.
This can be categorized as
illegitimate error. One of the

19 | P a g e
 Heat and Specific Heat Capacity

random errors that could be

mentioned is the
unstable power supply. The
unnecessary extension of the
power supply was long and cause
high
resistance in the circuit
According to the results collected
from this experiment and
calculations, several errors have
been
identified throughout the
experiment and after the
experiment. First and foremost,
due to the vibration

20 | P a g e
 Heat and Specific Heat Capacity

caused by the kettle as it boiled the

water inside, the weighing scale
could not read the exact mass of
the water resulting inconsistent
reading. Next, the thermocouple
end could have touched the heat-
steel
inside the kettle unconsciously by
the students which then cause a
drastic increase of temperature.
This can be categorized as
illegitimate error. One of the
random errors that could be
mentioned is the
unstable power supply. The
unnecessary extension of the

21 | P a g e
 Heat and Specific Heat Capacity

power supply was long and cause

high
resistance in the circuit
According to the results collected
from this experiment and
calculations, several errors have
been
identified throughout the
experiment and after the
experiment. First and foremost,
due to the vibration
caused by the kettle as it boiled the
water inside, the weighing scale
could not read the exact mass of
the water resulting inconsistent
reading. Next, the thermocouple

22 | P a g e
 Heat and Specific Heat Capacity

end could have touched the heat-

steel
inside the kettle unconsciously by
the students which then cause a
drastic increase of temperature.
This can be categorized as
illegitimate error. One of the
random errors that could be
mentioned is the
unstable power supply. The
unnecessary extension of the
power supply was long and cause
high
resistance in the circuit
According to the results collected
from this experiment and

23 | P a g e
 Heat and Specific Heat Capacity

calculations, several errors have

been
identified throughout the
experiment and after the
experiment. First and foremost,
due to the vibration
caused by the kettle as it boiled the
water inside, the weighing scale
could not read the exact mass of
the water resulting inconsistent
reading. Next, the thermocouple
end could have touched the heat-
steel
inside the kettle unconsciously by
the students which then cause a
drastic increase of temperature.

24 | P a g e
 Heat and Specific Heat Capacity

This can be categorized as

illegitimate error. One of the
random errors that could be
mentioned is the
unstable power supply. The
unnecessary extension of the
power supply was long and cause
high
resistance in the circuit
According to the results collected
from this experiment and
calculations, several errors have
been
identified throughout the
experiment and after the
experiment. First and foremost,
due to the vibration
25 | P a g e
 Heat and Specific Heat Capacity

caused by the kettle as it boiled the

water inside, the weighing scale
could not read the exact mass of
the water resulting inconsistent
reading. Next, the thermocouple
end could have touched the heat-
steel
inside the kettle unconsciously by
the students which then cause a
drastic increase of temperature.
This can be categorized as
illegitimate error. One of the
random errors that could be
mentioned is the
unstable power supply. The
unnecessary extension of the

26 | P a g e
 Heat and Specific Heat Capacity

power supply was long and cause

high
resistance in the circuit
Q
evaporate
=
m
e
h
fg
t
= (0.40487) (2262.28) =
1015.126W
v. Total power consumption
P
output

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 Heat and Specific Heat Capacity

References
Agne, M.T., Imasato, K., Anand, S., Lee, K., Bux, S.K., Zevalkink, A., Rettie, A.J., Chung,
D.Y., Kanatzidis, M.G. and Snyder, G.J., 2018. Heat capacity of Mg3Sb2,
Mg3Bi2, and their alloys at high temperature. Materials Today Physics, 6, pp.83-
88.

Ferrer, G., Barreneche, C., Solé, A., Martorell, I. and Cabeza, L.F., 2017. New proposed
methodology for specific heat capacity determination of materials for thermal
energy storage (TES) by DSC. Journal of Energy Storage, 11, pp.1-6.

Luo, S.B., Wang, W.L., Chang, J., Xia, Z.C. and Wei, B., 2017. Specific heat capacity of liquid
and solid Ni83. 5Ti16. 5 eutectic alloy. Chemical Physics Letters, 679, pp.172-175.

Xia, Z.C., Wang, W.L., Luo, S.B. and Wei, B., 2016. Specific heat capacity and dendritic growth
kinetics of liquid peritectic Fe-Cu alloys. Chemical Physics Letters, 658, pp.220-
223.

28 | P a g e
 Heat and Specific Heat Capacity

Q
evaporate
=
m
e
h
fg
t
= (0.40487) (2262.28) =
1015.126W
v. Total power consumption
P
output
= 1065.6 W
vii. Efficiency of the kettle
ɳ=
29 | P a g e
 Heat and Specific Heat Capacity

P
output
P
Input
x 100 % =
1012.2773
1021.807
x 100 %
= 99.0 %
Discussions
All sources of errors and
precaution taken
According to the results collected
from this experiment and
calculations, several errors have
been

30 | P a g e
 Heat and Specific Heat Capacity

identified throughout the

experiment and after the
experiment. First and foremost,
due to the vibration
caused by the kettle as it boiled the
water inside, the weighing scale
could not read the exact mass of
the water resulting inconsistent
reading. Next, the thermocouple
end could have touched the heat-
steel
inside the kettle unconsciously by
the students which then cause a
drastic increase of temperature.
This can be categorized as
illegitimate error. One of the

31 | P a g e
 Heat and Specific Heat Capacity

random errors that could be

mentioned is the
unstable power supply. The
unnecessary extension of the
power supply was long and cause
high
resistance in the circui

32 | P a g e