1. By: Thayne, Brandon, and Tyler

2.  The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the properties of specific heat. We used a sample of an unknown material and heated it to 50⁰C. It was placed into a cup of water and the change in temperature was recorded. This was used in the equation Q=mc∆T and we solved for the value of c.

3.  In this experiment, we used a simple method of measuring a material’s specific heat by measuring the difference in temperature when the heated object was placed into a cup of water.

4.  Unknown Substance  Styrofoam Cup  Water  Black Box  Thermometer

5.  1. Record the mass of the unknown substance.  2. Record the mass of a Styrofoam cup.  3. Record the mass of the water in the cup.  4. Measure the temperature of the water.  5. Heat the unknown substance to roughly 50⁰C and record the temperature.  6. Place the substance in the water and record the temperature once it hits equilibrium.

6.  7. Find the differences in the initial and final temperatures of both the substance and the water.  8. Use the equation Q=mc∆T and solve for c.

7. Test 1Test 2Test 3Average Mass of Cup 1.7 g Mass of Water 36.7 g Mass of Substance 5.7 g Temp of Resistor 50.0 ⁰C52.0⁰C52.7⁰C51.67⁰C Temp of Water 20.8⁰C22.7⁰C23.6⁰C22.37⁰C Temp of Both 22.6⁰C23.7⁰C24.5⁰C23.60⁰C Specific Heat of Water 4200 J/(kgK) Change in Temp (Resistor) 27.3⁰C28.3⁰C28.2⁰C27.93⁰C Change in Temp (Water) 1.8⁰C1.0⁰C0.9⁰C1.23⁰C Specific Heat of Unknown 1783 J/(kgK)956 J/(kgK)863 J/(kgK)1200.67 J/(kgK)

8. When using Q=mc∆T, we got various answers on all three of our tests. The average specific heat of our substance we found to be roughly 1200 J/(kg*K).

9. We would like to thank Mr. Walfred Raisanen for assigning this wonderful experiment. We would also like to thank ourselves for being smart enough to complete the assignment.