Name: ________________________ ( ) Class: ________ Date: _________

Worksheet Title: Task 5 – Specific Heat Capacity of a Brass Mass

Aim: You will be assessed on your ability to:

● manipulate apparatus, conduct accurate measurements and
observation (MMO),
● presentation of data and observations (PDO),
● analyse data, draw conclusions and evaluate data (ACE).

Description: In this experiment, you will use the method of mixtures to determine the
specific heat capacity of a brass mass.

Apparatus: (i) 1 x beaker (vi) Bunsen burner

(ii) 1 x measuring cylinder (vii) tripod stand
(iii) 1 x brass mass and wire (viii) wire gauze and lighter
(iv) 1 x calorimeter with stirrer (ix) retort stand
(v) 1 x thermometer (x) electronic balance

Diagram:

beaker

retort stand
brass mass

wire gauze

tripod stand

Bunsen burner

Fig. 5.1

Procedure:

(a) Measure and record the brass mass on the electronic balance, mbrass.

mbrass = …………100.0 g………………… [1]

(b) Tie the brass mass with the piece of wire and suspend it from the free-end of the clamp
of the retort stand.

(c) Fill the beaker with water until it is half-full and place it on the tripod stand. Adjust the
retort stand so that the brass mass is fully immersed in water, as shown in Fig. 4.1.
 Suggest why the brass mass should not touch the base of the beaker.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………….. [1]

(d) Heat the water using a Bunsen burner.

(e) While waiting for the water to boil, measure and record the mass of the empty
calorimeter, mcopper.

mcopper = ……………20.0 g……………… [1]

(f) Pour 100 ml of tap water (at room temperature) into the calorimeter.

(g) Measure and record the mass of the calorimeter and its content, mcw, as well as the
initial temperature of the water in the calorimeter, θ0.

mcw = ………60.0 g…………………… [1]

θ0 = ………29.0 oC…………………… [1]

(h) After the water has boiled, record the temperature of the boiling water, θ1. This will also
be the initial temperature of the heated brass mass.

θ1 = …………100.0 oC………………… [1]

(i) Remove the brass mass, dry it with a piece of cloth and quickly transfer it into the
calorimeter.

Why should the brass mass be transferred quickly into the calorimeter?

………………………………………………………………………………………………….…

……………………………………………………………………………………………... [1]

(j) Gently stir the water continuously with the stirrer. Record the final steady-state
temperature attained, θ2.

θ2 = …………60.0oC………………… [1]

Explain why there is a need to stir the water continuously.

………………………………………………………………………………………………….…

…………………………………………………….……………………………….…….. [1]
(k) Determine cbrass, the specific heat capacity of brass using the following equation:

[mcoppercCopper + (mcw − mcopper )cwater ]( 2 −  0 )

cbrass = mbrass (1 −  2 )

where ccopper is specific heat capacity of calorimeter = 0.40 J / (g °C);

cwater is specific heat capacity of water = 4.2 J / (g °C).

cbrass = …………………………… [1]

(l) Theoretically, the specific heat capacity of brass is 0.38 J / (g °C).

Suggest why your value of cbrass is different from this theoretical value.

…………………………………………………………………………………………….………

………………………………………………………………………………………….….. [1]

~ End of Task ~