Edexcel IGCSE Physics 5.14P specific heat capacity practical

Practise specific heat practicals by measuring mass, temperature rise and heating time, then improving accuracy with stirring and insulation.

Exam points

Describe measuring mass, temperature rise and heating time for water or a solid block.
Use E = Pt or E = VIt with ΔQ = m x c x ΔT to determine specific heat capacity.
Improve accuracy by stirring water, insulating the container or reducing energy loss.

[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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5.14P Specific heat capacity practical question 1