SBA #6

Date:
Title: Specific heat capacity
Aim: To determine the heat capacity of brass objects by method
emersion in heated water.
Materials: brass object; Bunsen burner; tripod, beaker; thermometer;
string; Styrofoam, Digital top pan balance Diagram
Diagram:
Procedure:
1. The mass of the brass object was measured with the use of the top
pan balance and the mass was recorded as Ma.
2. A large beaker was half filled with water and then heated with the
use of a Bunsen burner.
3. The string was attached to the brass object and gently immersed into
water bath until the water boils.
4. The mass of empty dry Styrofoam cup was measured and mass was
recorded as Mc.
5. The Styrofoam cup was half filled with water and the mass of
Styrofoam with water was measured then recorded as Mcw. A
thermometer was used to record the temperature as T1.
6. The temperature of the brass block was recorded in the boiling water
as Tb.
7. The brass objects were quickly transferred into the Styrofoam with
water, spillage was avoided. A thermometer was used to gently stir and
the highest temperature was recorded as T2.
8.The table was completed with the use of the results obtained.

Table Of Results:

Materials Symbols Value

Mass of Brass object Mb
Mass of water Mw
Initial temperature of water t1
Highest temperature of t2
water
Brass object temperature tb
Mass of Empty Styrofoam Mc
cup
Mass of Styrofoam cup with Mcw
water

Interpretation:
Explanation of concepts-
Specific Heat Capacity- is the amount of heat required to raise the
temperature of one gram of substance by one Celsius degree. Specific
heat is usually measured in calories or joules per gram per Celsius
degree
Statement of laws-
Theories-

Calculations
State of formula:
Q= mcΔT
Q= energy
M= mass
ΔT= t1-t2
(To be)
Calculations and statement of numerical findings:
Mass of water used
=Mass of Styrofoam cup with water - Mass of Empty Styrofoam cup
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Temperature change of brass object
= Highest temperature of water - Initial temperature of water
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The specific heat capacity of brass.
Q= mcΔT

Conclusion:
Statement of findings (must be brief and be link to the aim).
Questions & Answers:
1. What is meant by the specific heat capacity of a material?
Ans: The specific heat capacity of a material is the amount of heat
required to raise the temperature of one gram of the substance by one
Celsius degree. It is usually measured in calories or joules per gram per
Celsius degree.

2. Why was a Styrofoam cup used in the experiment instead of a

normal beaker?
Ans: A Styrofoam cup used in the experiment instead of a normal
beaker since the heat capacity of Styrofoam is higher than of glass. By
this, the readings of temperature would not be affected in a major way.

3. Calculate the following:

a) i. Mass of water used
Ans:
=Mass of Styrofoam cup with water - Mass of Empty Styrofoam cup

ii. Temperature change of brass object

Ans: Highest temperature of water - Initial temperature of water

b) The specific heat capacity of brass.

Ans: Q= mcΔT

Reflections:
Applications of concept to everyday life:
Knowing the specific heat capacity of materials enables Builders to
select appropriate building materials depending on location and
altitude of a building, whether the house is wanted warm or cool. For
example, Wood which has a high specific heat allows the interior of
wooden houses to be cooler.

Feedback from student on experimental experience