Edexcel IGCSE Physics 5 14p Specific Heat Capacity Practical Questions

Use a heater and measuring instruments to determine c, then improve accuracy by stirring, insulating and limiting heat loss.

Exam points

Measure the sample’s mass, temperature rise and heating time, or use a known power, to determine specific heat capacity.
Calculate supplied energy using E = Pt or E = VIt, then use ΔQ = mcΔT or a temperature-time gradient to find c.
Improve accuracy by stirring water evenly, insulating or covering the container, transferring hot material quickly and reducing heat loss to the surroundings.

[Maximum number: 2]

This question is about specific heat capacity.

A student uses this method to measure the specific heat capacity of water.
- place an aluminium block of known mass in an oven at a temperature of $220^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$
- place water of known mass in a container at a temperature of $20^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$
- leave the aluminium block in the oven for 10 minutes
- remove the aluminium block from the oven and place the block in the water
- measure the maximum temperature of the water after it has been heated by the aluminium block

The student uses their data to calculate the specific heat capacity of water.
Give two ways that they could improve their method to increase the accuracy of their value of specific heat capacity.

1

2

Any two from:
- MP1: leave the block in the oven for longer, or check it is definitely at $220^\circ\mathrm{C}$
- MP2: transfer the block from oven to water as quickly as possible
- MP3: add insulation to the container of water
- MP4: place a lid on the container of water
- MP5: use a container with low specific heat capacity or low thermal conductivity
- MP6: repeat and average, or remove anomalies

Examples:
- wrap it in wool
- use a polystyrene cup

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Edexcel IGCSE Physics 5 14p Specific Heat Capacity Practical Questions question 1