1. SPECIFIC HEAT CAPACITY OF
MEASURING
SPECIFIC HEAT CAPACITY OF
SOLIDS

2. Name of the Experiment : Measuring the Specific Heat
Capacity of copper.
Objective:
1. Determine the specific heat of copper.

3. Tools: Copper shots Calorimeter vessel Steam Generator Thermometer
Silicone Tubing
Stopper
Weighing Balance

4. According to the law of conservation of energy,
Theory:
According to the law of conservation of energy,
Heat Lost by copper = Heat gained by water
Q s = Q w
ms c s ( T – Ts ) = mw c w ( Ts - T)
c s = mw c w ( Ts - T)
ms c s ( T – Ts )

5. Steps: 1. Weigh the calorimeter and thermometer.
2. Fill water in the calorimeter and weigh the calorimeter, thermometer
and water.
3. Hence find the mass of water mw .
4. Then empty the water and add copper shots in the calorimeter .
5. Weigh the setup again and note the temperature of water T w.
6. From this, determine the mass of copper shots m s.

6. 7. Set up the apparatus to heat the copper shots.
8. Transfer the copper shots to the calorimeter – water setup
9. Find the common temperature of the mixture. (T)

7. Tc = _____ 0C =common temperature (the temperature after
Data:
WATER
COPPER
Mw= _______kg
Ms = _______ Kg
MASS
C w= J/Kg0C
Cs = ?
SPECIFIC HEAT
T w= _____0c
Ts = ________ Kg
TEMPERATURE
Tc = _____ 0C =common temperature (the temperature after
mixing water and copper inside the calorimeter)

8. c s = mw c w ( Tc - Tw)
ms ( Tc – Ts )

9. Table 2
C (KJ / K Kg)
Substance
Literature
Experiment
0.1295
0.133
Lead
0.385
0.367
Copper
0.746
0.656
Glass

10. Conclusion :
Specific heat capacity of copper shot = KJ / K Kg