CAIE IGCSE Physics Specific Heat Capacity Overview

Practise specific heat capacity and thermal capacity calculations, particle-energy explanations and heater experiments with measured energy losses.

Exam points

calculate transferred energy, mass, specific heat capacity or temperature change with E = mcΔT
combine heater power and time with E = Pt before applying the specific heat equation
plan a heating experiment and account for energy transferred to apparatus or surroundings

Covered syllabus points

2.2.2.1—A rise in the temperature of an object 2.2.2.2—An increase in temperature of an 2.2.2.3—Specific heat capacity as energy 2.2.2.4—Experiments to measure the specific

[Maximum number: 1]

In a famous experiment, a scientist showed that, when water in an insulated tub is stirred, its temperature increases.

What can be concluded from this experiment?

Temperature is a store of energy.

The water absorbs heat from the surroundings.

Work done by stirring increases the internal energy of the water.

Energy is not conserved.

[Maximum number: 1]

The temperature of the air in a sealed glass container is increased.

Explain, in terms of molecules, why the internal energy of the air increases.

[Maximum number: 4]

Fig. 4.1 shows a metal pan on an electric hotplate. The pan contains $200 \mathrm{~cm}^{3}$ of water.

Fig. 4.1

The pan is heated. The temperature of the water in the pan increases.

The water is replaced with $200 \mathrm{~cm}^{3}$ of milk.

The initial temperature of the milk is $20.0^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$ . The boiling point of milk is $95.0^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$ .
The milk starts to boil when 60700 J of thermal energy has been transferred to it. The density of milk is $1.03 \mathrm{~g} / \mathrm{cm}^{3}$ .

Calculate the value of the specific heat capacity of milk. Give your answer to 3 significant figures.

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Covered syllabus points

2.2.2 Specific heat capacity question 1

2.2.2 Specific heat capacity question 2

2.2.2 Specific heat capacity question 3