Specific Heat Capacity? Calorimeter

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a calorimeter experiment aimed at determining the specific heat capacity of the calorimeter. Participants are analyzing temperature changes and mass values to understand the heat transfer involved in the experiment.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationship between heat supplied and heat absorbed by the calorimeter and water, questioning the assumptions about heat transfer direction. Some express confusion over obtaining negative values for specific heat capacity.

Discussion Status

There is ongoing exploration of the calculations involved, with participants questioning the validity of their assumptions and the implications of their results. Some guidance has been offered regarding unit considerations and the nature of heat transfer in the system.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working with specific values for mass and temperature, and there is mention of potential discrepancies in the specific heat capacity values used. The discussion highlights the need for careful consideration of the experimental setup and assumptions regarding heat transfer.

Daniel52947
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
im doing a calorimeter experiment and need to find the specific heat capacity of the calorimeter, but always gets a negative answer.

Initial temp = 23 C
Final temp = 60 C
Change in temp = 37 C

Mass of calorimeter = 0.027645kg
Mass of water = 0.1kg

Specific heat capacity water = 4200
Specific heat capacity calorimeter = ?

Heat supplied = 6349.551J (using q= VxIxT =7.93x1.57x510)


i assume you find by q(total)=q(cal)+q(water)
 
Physics news on Phys.org
the temp for water or cal?

q(total)=0 so q(cal)=q(water) so mc(t2-t1){for cal}=mc(t2-t1){for water}
and
c{calorimeter}=15192.621
 
mahdi200hell said:
the temp for water or cal?

q(total)=0 so q(cal)=q(water) so mc(t2-t1){for cal}=mc(t2-t1){for water}
and
c{calorimeter}=15192.621

is it possible for the specific heat capacity of the calorimeter be more than that of water
 
i think more and say you later
 
ElectricalEnergySupplied = HeatIncreaseInWater + HeatIncreaseInCalorimeter

HeatIncreaseInWater = (WaterMass*WaterSpecificHeat*TemperatureRise)

HeatIncreaseInCalorimeter=(CalorimeterMass*CalorimeterSpecificHeat*TemperatureRise)
 
Daniel52947 said:
im doing a calorimeter experiment and need to find the specific heat capacity of the calorimeter, but always gets a negative answer.

Initial temp = 23 C
Final temp = 60 C
Change in temp = 37 C

Mass of calorimeter = 0.027645kg
Mass of water = 0.1kg

Specific heat capacity water = 4200
Specific heat capacity calorimeter = ?

Heat supplied = 6349.551J (using q= VxIxT =7.93x1.57x510)


i assume you find by q(total)=q(cal)+q(water)
Be careful with units and temperature differences, and also carefully state the problem.

The specific heat of water is 1 cal/gm °C or 4186 J/kg K (ΔT in °C = ΔT in K), but in one's problem the value has been rounded to 4200. The specific heat of metal is lower, e.g. 0.092cal/gm °C or 386 J/kg K for copper.
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/thermo/inteng.html#c4

In the problem, does the heat transfer from the water to the calorimeter, i.e. does the water heat the calorimeter, or is the heat supplied (6349.551J) enter the water and the calorimeter, i.e. both water and calorimeter start fromt the same initial temperature and achieve the same final temperature? In the former case, Δq(water)+Δq(calorimeter) = 0, whereas in the latter case q(heat supplied) = q(water)+q(calorimeter).

See also - http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/thermo/spht.html
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/tables/sphtt.html
 

Similar threads

Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
7K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
16K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K