Question

(a) State what is meant by the specific heat capacity of a substance. [2]

(b) A student carries out an experiment to find the specific heat capacity of

aluminium. He uses an electric heater and a thermometer, inserted into separate

holes in an aluminium block. The following data are obtained.


mass of aluminium


block = 2.0 kg power of heating element = 420 W


time of heating = 95s initial

temperature of block = 19.5 °C

final temperature of block = 40.5 °C


Calculate the value of the specific heat capacity of aluminium given by this

experiment. [4]

(c) In the experiment in (b), no attempt is made to prevent loss of thermal energy

from the surfaces of the block. Suggest two actions the student could take to

reduce the loss of thermal energy from the surfaces of the block.

Answer 1

Answer:

Specific heat capacity is measured by determining how much heat energy is needed to raise one gram of a substance one degree Celsius. The specific heat capacity of water is 4.2 joules per gram per degree Celsius or 1 calorie per gram per degree Celsius.