c
 p

E E


Mass is not the only factor that determines temperature change. The same amount of heat will
produce a different substances absorb or release heat energy more readily than other substance. Specific heat
is the ability to release or absorb heat energy. It is the amount of heat that is required to raise the
temperature of „ 

In getting or measuring the heat,

calorimeter is used. It is a device for
measuring the heat during the mechanical,
and for calculating the heat capacity of
materials.

Moreover, specific heat can be used

to calculate the amount of heat gained or lost
by a substance. In experimental
determination of the specific heat metal by
method of mixture, this method and the
principle of heat exchange can be used to
determine the specific heat of a solid. The hot
solid of known mass but unknown specific
heat is mixed with water of known mass and
temperature in calorimeter. The final
temperature  is then measured.





The table 1-1 shows the Specific Heats of Some

Common Substances. Specific heat is important because it
can help identify the substances as well as help decide
which substance can be used for specific purposes.

EE 
 

1) The purpose of conducting the
experiment is to determine the specific
heat of one or more metals by the
method of mixtures.

EEE     


1) Calorimeter 7) Sample cylinder No. 1 (Brass)

2) Boiler 8) Sample cylinder No. 2 (Aluminum)
3) Tripod Stand 9) Digital Thermometer
4) Bunsen Burner 10)Set of Weights
5) Beam Ȃ balance 11)Ice
6) Beaker 12)Thread
 c
 P

E  × 

 
  


1) What is the purpose of starting the temperature of the water lower than the room temperature and
ending about the same amount above room temperature?

a. To easily determine the changes occurred in the temperature

2) How would the computed value of the specific heat be affected if some boiling water were carried
over with the metal?

a. In order to solve for the specific heat of the substance by using the formula
ܳ ൌ ݉ܿο

Since,

ܳ௟௢௦௧ ൌ  ܳ௚௔௜௡௘ௗ
We arrived at the formula:

ࡹࢉሺ࢚૚ െ  ࢚૛ ሻ ൌ  ሺ࢓ ൅  ࢓૚ ࡯૚ ሻሺ࢚૛ െ ࢚૜ ሻ

Where:
M = mass of metal sample
C = specific heat of metal
· = metal sampleǯs initial temp
·
= final equilibrium temperature
· = initial temperature of the water and calorimeter
m = mass of water
݉ = mass of calorimeter cup
 = Specific heat of the material of which this is made

3) What is the biggest source of error if too much water is used?

a. When we measure the temperature of the water after immersing the metal, we cannot easily
determine the changes since the heat absorb by the water is lesser than the metal being
used. The heat lost by the hot substance equals the heat gained by the cold substance.
Considering the scenario, we can definitely conclude that the metal and water experience
unbalanced heat exchange.

4) What is meant by the water equivalent of a body?

a. Consider cold water poured into hot water. As they mix, the temperature of the hot water is
lowered while the temperature of the cold water is raised. The final temperature of the
mixture lies between the temperatures of hot and cold water. Each time two substances of
different temperatures are mixed or brought into contact, the warmer one loses heat and the
cooler one gains heat until they both is in thermal equilibrium. The heat lost by the hot
substance is equal to the heat gained by the cold substance.
 c
 ~

 ¯


Based on the experiment conducted, when a hot and a cold substance mixed or brought into contact,
heat lost by the hot body equals the heat gained by the cold body. The substances reach the same final
temperature when thermal equilibrium is attained. This is the principle of heat exchange known as the
method of mixtures.

A  


    (2009). Encyclopædia Britannica. †

  

  
 Chicago: Encyclopædia
Britannica.

˜  ¯ (2009). Encyclopædia Britannica. †

  

  
 Chicago: Encyclopædia
Britannica.

 
 !""# © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Sotto, R. (2005). $ . SIBS Publishing House, Inc. 156