How to Experimentally Determine the Specific Heat Capacity of Ice

In summary: Then subtract the weight of ice from the liquid's weight to get the heat used to cool the liquid to 0 C. Divide the final temperature by that amount to get the specific heat capacity of that substance.
  • #1
xxpsychoxx
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Hey, can anyone describe to me an experiment to find the specific heat capacity of ice?

Keep it simple please :smile:

Thanks in advance :wink:
 
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  • #2
The "specific heat capacity"? Not the "heat of melting"?

The "specific heat capacity" of anything is defined as the amount of heat necessary to raise its temperature one degree Celcius (which would also be one degree Kelvin). Freeze a large amount of ice, well below 0 Celcius (and that's HARD precisely because the specific heat of ice is very high). Pour a comparatively small amount of hot water (just below 100 Celcius would be best) over the ice. After it has come to equilibrium, measure the temperature of the ice. Since you know (I am assuming) the specific heat of water and its original temperature, you know how much heat was transferred to the ice and so know how much heat it took to raise the ice by whatever temperature change you found.

That's simplest conceptually but the temperature change might be hard to measure. The point of using "comparatively little water" is that you can ignore the water changing to ice.

To be more precise, you might do it this way: freeze a measured amount of ice, again well below freezing (the more increase in temperature before it melts the more accurate your result) and record its temperature. Pour a large measured amount of water at a measured temperature. Assuming that all the ice melts: measure the temperature of the resulting water. If you know the specific capacity of water, you can calculate how much heat the water gave up in going from its original temperature to the final temperature. If you know the "heat of melting" of ice, you can calculate how much of that heat was used to melt the ice- deduct that from the heat you got from the water. Also calculate the heat necessary to raise that melt water to the final temperature and deduct that from the remaining heat. The heat left is the heat that was used to raise the temperature of the ice from its initial value to 0. The specific heat capacity of ice is that heat divided by the change in temperature.

It will be large, ice is a very good insulator.
 
  • #3
Couple points: 1) the heat capacity of ice is NOT "high" --- it's around half that of liquid water; 2) heat capacity and thermal conductivity are not all that directly related.

You need the initial temperatures of measured masses of ice and of liquid water. Dump them together and measure the final temperature at equilibrium. Better, and quicker, precool your liquid to 0 C, weigh it, add the sub-zero ice sample, let the mixture equilibrate, weigh the ice (it'll gain weight), or measure the volume change to determine how much ice you can form with the "heat" (negative) available in the sub-zero ice.
 

What is the specific heat capacity of ice?

The specific heat capacity of ice is 2.09 joules per gram per degree Celsius (J/g·°C).

How does specific heat capacity affect the melting and freezing of ice?

Specific heat capacity plays a crucial role in the melting and freezing of ice. As ice melts, it absorbs a large amount of heat energy from its surroundings, causing its temperature to increase. Similarly, when ice freezes, it releases a significant amount of heat energy, causing its temperature to decrease. This is due to the high specific heat capacity of water, which allows it to absorb and release heat energy without experiencing large changes in temperature.

What factors can affect the specific heat capacity of ice?

The specific heat capacity of ice can be affected by several factors, such as temperature, pressure, and impurities. As temperature and pressure increase, the specific heat capacity of ice decreases. Additionally, the presence of impurities, such as salt, can also affect the specific heat capacity of ice.

How is the specific heat capacity of ice measured?

The specific heat capacity of ice is typically measured using a calorimeter. The ice is placed in the calorimeter, and the heat energy required to raise its temperature by one degree Celsius is measured. This value is then divided by the mass of the ice to determine its specific heat capacity.

Why is the specific heat capacity of ice important in everyday life?

The specific heat capacity of ice is important in everyday life because it affects the Earth's climate, as well as the storage and transportation of food and other materials. The high specific heat capacity of water helps regulate the Earth's temperature, while the low specific heat capacity of ice allows it to be used as a coolant in refrigerators and freezers. It also plays a role in determining cooking times and temperatures for different foods.

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