Define specific heat capacity.

The specific heat capacity of a substance is the energy required to raise the temperature of one kilogram of it by one kelvin, measured in J kg⁻¹ K⁻¹.

Give the SI unit of specific heat capacity.

Specific heat capacity is measured in J kg⁻¹ K⁻¹.

Calculate the energy needed to raise the temperature of 0.50 kg of water by 20 K, taking the specific heat capacity of water as 4200 J kg⁻¹ K⁻¹.

Q = mcΔθ = 0.50 × 4200 × 20 = 4.2 × 10⁴ J.

Why is a little oil put into the thermometer hole of a metal block in a specific heat capacity experiment?

The oil fills the air gap and gives good thermal contact, so the thermometer records the temperature of the block rather than of trapped air.

CCEA A-Level Physics 1210

Physical Quantities, Scalars and Vectors

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Thermal Physics

Specific heat capacity and the electrical method

3 things to know
Unit A2 1

Overview

Recall questions on the definition of specific heat capacity, Q = mcΔθ and the SI unit, worked energy calculations, the electrical method with a metal block using an immersion heater, joulemeter and thermometer, why oil is put in the thermometer hole, the effect of heat lost to the surroundings, and how the result is obtained from a graph.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started

Key term

Describe an electrical method for determining the specific heat capacity of a metal block.

Key term

State the equation used to find the electrical energy supplied by a heater when measuring specific heat capacity, defining every symbol

Key term

State the equation for the thermal energy needed to change the temperature of a substance and define every symbol.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1
Define specific heat capacity.
Model answer
The specific heat capacity of a substance is the energy required to raise the temperature of one kilogram of it by one kelvin, measured in J kg⁻¹ K⁻¹.
2
State the equation for the thermal energy needed to change the temperature of a substance and define every symbol.
Model answer
Q = mcΔθ, where Q is the energy transferred in joules, m the mass in kg, c the specific heat capacity in J kg⁻¹ K⁻¹ and Δθ the temperature change in K.
3
Give the SI unit of specific heat capacity.
Model answer
Specific heat capacity is measured in J kg⁻¹ K⁻¹.
4
Calculate the energy needed to raise the temperature of 0.50 kg of water by 20 K, taking the specific heat capacity of water as 4200 J kg⁻¹ K⁻¹.
Model answer
Q = mcΔθ = 0.50 × 4200 × 20 = 4.2 × 10⁴ J.
5
Describe an electrical method for determining the specific heat capacity of a metal block.
Model answer
A metal block of known mass is drilled with two holes to take an electric immersion heater and a thermometer, both seated with a drop of oil for good thermal contact, and the block is lagged. The heater is run from a supply with an ammeter and voltmeter for a measured time, and the starting and highest temperatures are recorded. The energy supplied is VIt, and c = VIt/(mΔθ).
6
Why is a little oil put into the thermometer hole of a metal block in a specific heat capacity experiment?
Model answer
The oil fills the air gap and gives good thermal contact, so the thermometer records the temperature of the block rather than of trapped air.

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