THERMODYNAMIC LAB: SPECIFIC HEAT OF METALS

JULFAIZE BIN ONG KIM CHUAN @ AFFENDY

BK16110167
GROUP 4
HK08 MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING UNIVERISITY MALAYSIA SABAH
ABSTRACT
The experiment is conducted to determine the specific heat of metal. The amount needed to
increase the temperature by one degree Celsius per unit mass is called ‘The Specific Heat’.
This experiment usually applied to metallic element to compare the energy absorbed and
transferred by that particular metallic element. For this experiment, the three metals samples
will be heated to at least 70ºC then the temperature will be measured as initial temperature of
the metal. Immediately the metal is transferred into a Styrofoam cup that contain water with
lower temperature. The metal sample will be left for a few minutes for the metal and water to
reach thermal equilibrium. Then, the temperature is taken as the final temperature. From this
experiment, the specific heat we obtained are (0.232 cal. /g ºC), 0.1681 (cal. /g ºC) and 0.2685
(cal. /g ºC) for trial 1, trial 2, and trial 3, respectively for aluminum. Where the actual specific
heat capacity is 0.21 (cal. /g ºC). In the calculation, we use the formula of Heat gained/lost,
𝑄𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 = 𝑚𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑐∆𝑇𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟
TABLE OF CONTENT

No Content Page

1 Cover Page 1

2 Abstract 2

3 Table of content 3

4 Introduction 4

5 Procedure 4

6 Result 5

7 Discussion 6

8 Conclusion 6

9 Reference 6

10 Appendices 7-9
89K2K09N
INTRODUCTION / OBJECTIVE
Specific Heat is defined as he amounts of heat per unit mass required to raise the temperature
by one degree Celsius. The relationship between heat and temperature change is usually
expressed in the form 𝑄 = 𝑚𝑐∆𝑇. However, this relationship does not apply if phase change
occurs because heat added or removed during phase change does not change temperature.
The specific heat of water is 1 calorie/gram °C = 4.186 joule/gram °C which is higher than any
other common substance. As a result, water plays a very important role in temperature
regulation. The specific heat per gram for water is much higher than that for a metal
The main objective of this experiment is to determine the specific heat of metals and to
compare them with the theoretical value given. In this experiment, the metal we choose is
Aluminum which has theoretical value of 0.21 cal./g•°C. we use the equation
𝑄𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 = 𝑚𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑐∆𝑇𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟
to calculate the specific heat of metal.

PROCEDURE
1.Three metals samples (Aluminum) was placed into a beaker of water and heated to at least
70º C. As little water as possible was used just enough to completely cover the three samples.
The metal is immerged for a few minute to make sure equilibrium take place between metal
and water.
2.A measured mass of cold tap water was poured into each of Styrofoam cups and the initial
temperature of the water was measured.
3.The metal samples were quickly removed from the hot water and were placed into the
separate Styrofoam cups of water. The initial temperature of the metal was measured by
measuring the temperature of the water. A lid was placed on the cup and the water and the
metal was left for a few minutes to achieve thermal equilibrium. The final temperature of the
metal was measured.
4. The heat gained by the water was determined which is equal to the heat lost by the metal.
5.With the information on the heat lost by metal, mass and temperature change, the specific
heat of the metal was calculated.
6.The specific of the accepted value were observed and the percentage errors were calculated.
RESULT

TRIAL

1 2 3

Name of metal Al Al Al

Mass of cold water (g) 192.2514 177.225 167.9141

Initial temp. of cold 27.5ºC 27ºC 27ºC

water (ºC)
Mass of metal (g) 17.6000 17.4897 16.7356

Initial temp. of metal 75ºC 76ºC 73.5 ºC

(ºC)

Final temp. of metal and 28 ºC 27.8 ºC 28.2 ºC

cold water (ºC)

Change in temp. Of 1 ºC 0.8 ºC 1.2 ºC

water (ºC)
Heat gained by water 192.2514 141.78 201.4976
(cal.)

Heat lost by metal=_heat -192.2514 -141.78 -201.4976

gained by water (cal.)

Change in temp. Of 47 ºC 48.2 ºC 45.3 ºC

metal (ºC)
EXPERIMENTAL 0.232 (cal./ g ºC) 0.1681 (cal./ g ºC) 0.2658 (cal./ g ºC)
specific heat of metal
(cal./ g ºC)
ACCEPTED specific 0.21 (cal./ g ºC) 0.21 (cal./ g ºC) 0.21 (cal./ g ºC)
heat of metal (cal./ g ºC)

Percent error 10.67% 19.9% 26.56%

DISCUSSION
For this experiment, three aluminium metal cylinders are used to identify its specific heat of
metal. After the experiment, the specific heat we obtained are (0.232 cal. /g ºC), 0.1681 (cal.
/g ºC) and 0.2685 (cal. /g ºC) for trial 1, trial 2, and trial 3, respectively. The percentage error
in order to obtain the result were 11%, 20% and 27% for each respective trial. This
percentage error may be due to several reasons such as:-

(i) The heat from the hot water lose to it surrounding before it can reach equilibrium with the
metal. Hence, initial temperature of metal may be changed. We need to make sure to
immediately immersed the metal into the cold water.
(ii) The time taken for the metal and hot water to reach equilibrium may vary with the volume
of hot water. Since it is not fixed, we need to take longer time for it to really be in equilibrium
state before taking the initial temperature.
(iii) The composition of the three aluminium metals are unknown (whether it is 100% pure
aluminium), hence the specific heat is not precise. Pure metal should be use when
conducting the experiment.
(iv) The heat from metal lose to it surrounding when it is immerged into cold water.
Therefore, the final temperature of the metal is affected. We need to submerge the metal
into cold water in a closed system.

CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the specific heat we obtained are (0.232 cal. /g ºC), 0.1681 (cal. /g ºC) and
0.2685 (cal. /g ºC) for trial 1, trial 2, and trial 3, respectively. Where the actual specific heat
capacity for Aluminum is 0.21 (cal. /g ºC). The percentage error in order to obtain the result
were 11%, 20% and 27% for each respective trial. Despite of having slight differences
between the actual and theoretical value of specific heat, this experiment is considered
success by using the metal rod reached thermal equilibrium with hot water transferred to the
cold water method.
 REFERENCE
1. Yunus A. Cengel, Michaele A.Boles, Thermodynamics 5th Edition, Istanbul 2012
2. Cap, A. (2006) Determining heat capacity of unknown metals. Retrieved from:
https://adamcap.com/schoolwork/determining-the-heat-capacity-of-unknown-metals/
3. Daniel V.Schroeder, “An Introduction to Thermal Physics.” (Addison-Wesley,2004)
Foley Robert, “Specific Heat Capacity.” University of Wiscinson, 2006. Online at
http://physics.uwstout.edu/univphys1/labs/specific.htm
4. Definition of Specific Heat
http://hyperphysics.phyastr.gsu.edu/hbase/thermo/spht.html
5. Helmenstine, P. A. (n.d.). Here's How You Define Specific Heat Capacity. Retrieved
October 12, 2017, https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-specific-heat-capacity-
605672
APPENDICES
Calculation :
𝐴𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑑−𝐸𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙
% error = × 100
𝐴𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑑

𝑄𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑡
Experimental Specific heat of metal =
𝑚𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑙 ×∆𝑇𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑙

Heat gained/lost, ; CH2O = 1 cal/g•°C

1st Trial 2nd Trial 3rd Trial

Heat gained/lost: Heat gained/lost Heat gained/lost

𝑄𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 = 𝑚𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑐∆𝑇𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑄𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 = 𝑚𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑐∆𝑇𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑄𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 = 𝑚𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑐∆𝑇𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟
=(192.2514)(1Cal/gºC)(1ºC) =(177.225g)(1Cal/gºC)(1ºC) =(167.9741g)(1Cal/gºC)(1ºC)
=192.2514 Cal =141.7800 Cal =201.4976 Cal

Experimental specific heat: Experimental specific heat: Experimental specific heat:

𝑄𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑡 𝑄𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑡 𝑄𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑡
=𝑚 =𝑚 =𝑚
𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑙 ×∆𝑇𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑙 ×∆𝑇𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑙 ×∆𝑇𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑙

−192.2514 −141.78 −167.9141

= (17.6)(1) =(17.4897)(0.8) =(16.7356)(1.2)

= 0.232 Cal/gºC = 0.1681 Cal/gºC = 0.2658 Cal/gºC

Percentage of error:
𝐴𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑑−𝐸𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙
= 𝐴𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑑
× 100
Percentage of error:
𝐴𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑑−𝐸𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙
= 𝐴𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑑
× 100
Percentage of error:
𝐴𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑑−𝐸𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙
= 𝐴𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑑
× 100

0.21−0.232 0.21−0.1681 0.21−0.2658

= 0.21
× 100 = 0.21
× 100 = × 100
0.21

=10.67% =19.9% =26.56%

Figure:

Figure 1 : Apparatus

Figure 2 : show the metal submerged in cold water

Figure 3 : Cup uses to place cold water.

Figure 3 : use to measure mass

Figure 4 : Thermometer and Beaker containing Hot water and metal