Problem: Can the specific heat of an unknown metal be found using calorimetry?
Background: Calorimetry is the science of measuring heat based on observing the change of temperature when a body takes in or gives off energy as heat or light. The device used to determine heat associated with a chemical reaction is called a calorimeter. When calorimetry is used it’s information is then put into an equation to find the specific heat of an object. The equation is, SMΔTwater=SMΔTobject. This means that the specific heat times the mass and change in temperature of water will equal the specific heat times the mass and change in temperature of the object. Thermochemistry is the study of heat reactions and changes. In thermochemistry the universe
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Calorimetry is the science of measuring heat based on observing the change of temperature when a body takes in or gives off energy as heat or light. The equation SMΔTwater=SMΔTobject should help when finding the exact specific heat of the unknown metal.
Materials: Goggles, apron, ring stand, wire gauze, bunsen burner, gas outlet, water, scale, unknown metal, beaker, graduated cylinder, crucible tongs, calorimeter.
Procedure:
Put on goggles and apron.
Get unknown metal block.
Measure the weight of the block in grams using a scale.
Measure enough water in grams to cover the block in a beaker.
Measure the temperature of water in (℃).
Put water in beaker with the block and place over a lighted bunsen burner.
Measure enough water in mL to cover the block in the calorimeter.
Measure the temperature in (℃) of calorimeter water.
Let water with block heat until it boils at 100℃.
Measure temperature of boiling water in (℃).
Using metal tongs place the copper block into the calorimeter and let sit for 2 minutes. Measure the change in temperature of the water in the calorimeter.
Use the found values and determine the percent error and specific heat. Compare own results with online results.
Results:
Unknown Metal
Water
Mass
142.63 grams
94 grams
Specific Heat
0.385 j/g℃
4.18 j/g℃
Start Temp.
22℃
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Once all the information was gathered over the block, it was determined to be copper. The block was heated in water to 99℃ then put into a calorimeter with room temperature water. Once the temperature of the block in the calorimeter was taken, the specific heat was able to be calculated. With the information found the specific heat of copper is 0.349 j/g℃. When researched the specific heat of copper is very close at 0.385 j/g℃. This lab was very easy to mess up in and throw off the results. If one calculation would have been wrong the ending specific heat would also have been wrong. Not reading the thermometer correctly or finding the change in heat correctly is an example of error. If the specific heat found did not match up with the searched specific heat one should go back and see where their calculations were wrong. The percent error found in this lab was 9.35%. Comparisons between different groups did not work for this lab because each group had a different metals. Since correct calculations were taken, the specific heat of an unknown metal was found by using calorimetry and correct