Experiment : Determination of the specific heat capacity by the method of

mixtures

Aim: to determine the Specific heat capacity of solids

Apparatus:

 Beaker

 Test tube

 Thermometer

 Glassware stand with a test tube grip arm

 Calorimeter

 Hot plate

 Scale

Background:

The method of mixture is used almost universally by scientists as a quick, easy, and
semi-accurate specific heat test for a solid sample, but what makes this method extra
special is the fact that it’s so simple that high school students around the world perform
it as a hands-on example of how the specific heat capacities of materials are a part of
the world around us. This very same experiment can be done with very expensive
equipment in a high-tech lab, or in a home kitchen with some glassware, and the only
difference will be the accuracy of the results, which can be improved by repeating the
experiment and using the average of the results.

The biggest factor in the accuracy of your results will be the quality of calorimeter you
are using. Calorimeters are used to measure the heat transfer from a sample into a
container of water. Calorimeters can now be found in a few different and very
complicated forms in professional labs, but we will be focused on the simple crucible
model, as that is what fits the needs of this experiment.

A calorimeter of this sort has a dry inner chamber for the sample, (a crucible), the walls
of which are made of a material with a high thermal conductance. The middle chamber
is filled with the water that will have its temperature measured with a built-in
thermometer probe. Most calorimeters will also have a built-in stir rod to speed up
reactions and heat transfers. On the other side of the middle chambers thin walls will be
an air gap, and then a thick layer of insulating material.

Professional calorimeters are designed this way to prevent heat from escaping as much
as possible and they are often very expensive, but amateur, homemade, versions can
be accurate enough for some uses. For example, if you nest two Styrofoam cups will
make a water chamber followed by an air gap, then an insulating layer, as an inferior
version of almost the same design of those that can be purchased.
2.0 Background Information and Relevant Equations
2.1 Background Information

It is important to note that in this experiment, the better insulated your calorimeter is, the
more accurate your results will be. Loss of heat by conduction is the main cause of error
in this experiment.

The theory behind this specific heat test is based on the conservation of energy. Heat is
a form of energy, and in this case, it will be transferred between the sample and water.
We will be measuring the change in temperature of the water in the calorimeter, which
lets us calculate the change in heat of the water in the calorimeter, which we know to be
equal and opposite to the change in heat of the sample. It should now be becoming
clear how convenient this specific heat capacity test is, because the only thing to do
once the experiment is on the way, is to measure is the change in temperature of the
water, which is an indirect measurement of the change in heat of the solid.
2.2 Relevant Equations

Change in Heat

Q = cmΔT
Q = change in heat
c = specific heat capacity
ΔT = change in temperature

Conservation of energy

Qw = – Qs
Qw = change in heat of water
Qs = change in heat of sample
3.2 Experimental Setup

 Put the sample in a test tube.

 Attach the arm to the stand so it’s capable of gripping the test tube in place
vertically, several inches above to tabletop.

 Prepare some distilled water.

 Set your hot plate to around 105 degrees Celsius.

Procedure

Measure the mass of the sample (m s), and then weigh a beaker, then mostly fill the
beaker with distilled water, weigh it again. Then to find the mass of the volume of
distilled water (mw), subtract the mass of the beaker from the combined mass of the
beaker and water. Then pour that water in the calorimeter and set that aside for a time
to ensure the water reaches ambient temperature, then measure its temperature (ɵ w).
Fill the beaker with water again and set it on a hot plate until it reaches boiling, and
keep the temperature steady, at just above boiling, measure that temperature, and
record it as the initial temperature of the sample (ɵ s).

Set up the glassware stand so that it is holding the test tube with the sample so that the
length of the tube containing the sample is completely submerged in the boiling water.
Leave this for at least ten minutes so that the sample will be heated evenly. Make sure
the tube isn’t touching the sides or bottom of the glass.

When you are confident that the sample is heated evenly, disconnect the test tube from
the stand and pour the sample into the calorimeter and shut the lid. Do this as quickly
as you can while still being careful as to minimize the time the sample spends in contact
with the air. Be sure to prevent any water that was adhering to the test tube from
dripping into the calorimeter.

Keep close watch over the temperature in the calorimeter, and when it stops increasing,
record it as the final temperature of both the water and the sample (ɵ w = ɵs).

In this method, a known mass of a solid, e.g. a metal block is heated by dipping it
in a bath of hot water.
After some time, the solid is very fast transferred into cold water in a calorimeter and
whose mass is known.
The calorimeter is then covered using a piece of cardboard and stirred continuously.
The following measurements are then recorded:

Calculation
mass of metal sample, ms= g= kg

Initial temperature of metal block = T 1 = ˚C

Change in temperature of metal = ∆T1 = (T1-T)= ˚C

Mass of calorimeter = mc= g= kg

Mass of calorimeter and water = m= g= kg

Mass of the water in the calorimeter = m – mc = mw = kg

Initial temperature of water = T2 = ˚C

Change in temperature of water = ∆T2= (T- T2) = ˚C

Initial temperature of calorimeter = T2 = ˚C

Change in temperature of calorimeter = ∆T2= (T- T2) = ˚C

Final temperature of system= T= ˚C

Assuming there is no heat loss to the surrounding when the metal block is being
transferred into the cold water and thereafter;

Amount of heat lost by the metal block = amount of heat gained by calorimeter with
stirrer + amount of heat gained by water in the calorimeter.

ms c s ∆ T 1=mc c c ∆ T 2+mw c w ∆ T 2

where:
cs = s.h.c. of the metal block
cc = s.h.c. of the copper calorimeter
 cw = s.h.c. of water.

Hence

mc c c (T −T ) +mw c w (T −T )
s.h.c. of the metal block, cs = 2 2

ms (T 1−T )

Safety Precautions:
• Wear your safety goggles.
• Wash your hands after handling the metals.
Waste Disposal:
• There is no waste for this experiment. Return the metal samples so that they can be
re-used.
CONCLUSION