SAFE WORK PROCEDURE
LOCATION
VMC
WRITTEN BY: APPROVED BY:
Science Team
Comparing Specific Heats
Page 1 of 2
DATE CREATED
WS&H
LAST REVISION
June 27, 2014
New
PERSONAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT (PPE)
Safety glasses or face shield must be worn at all
times in work areas.
Long and loose hair must be tied back
Appropriate footwear must be worn. Shoe must
be fully enclosed. No open toed shoes.
Close fitting/protective clothing must be worn.
Remove strings hanging from pullovers/sweaters.
Rings and jewelry (long necklaces / bracelets,
etc.) must not be worn.
HAZARDS PRESENT
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Absorption of Chemicals.
Ingestion of Chemicals.
Slips / trips & falls
Chemical hazards
Burns from the hot plate
ADDITIONAL
REQUIREMENTS
APPARATUS / MATERIALS
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CBL System
TI graphing calculator
Metal temperature probe
Hot plate
Beakers
100 ml graduated cylinder
Balance
2 large Styrofoam cups
1 small Styrofoam cup with a
hole in the bottom
Stir rod
Sample of metal attached to
string
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Equipment orientation
WHMIS training
SAFE WORK PROCEDURE
1. Don all personal protective equipment including: safety glasses, & protective nitrile gloves
(where required). Ensure all loose clothing is either removed or tied back. Remove any jewelry
and tie back long hair.
2. Obtain the metal sample assigned to your group. Note the number on the tape attached to the
string on your metal sample and record the name of the metal. Measure and record the mass
of the metal.
3. Loop the string around a stir rod. Put the metal in the beaker of hot water on the hot plate. The
metal should be immersed in the water but not touching the bottom of the beaker. Leave the
metal in the water for 10 minutes.
4. Plug the metal temperature probe into Chanel 1 of the CBL system. Connect the CBL system
to the graphing calculator with the link cable using the port on the bottom edge of each unit.
Press the cable ends in firmly.
SAFE WORK PROCEDURE
Comparing Specific Heats
Page 2 of 2
5. Turn on the CBL unit and the calculator. On the calculator press PRGM and select PHYSCI.
Press ENTER then press ENTER again to go to the MAIN MENU.
6. Set up the calculator and CBL for one temperature probe. Select SET UP PROBES from the
MAIN MENU. Enter “1” as the number of temperature probes. Select TEMPERATURE from the
SELECT PROBE menu. Enter”1” as the channel number.
7. Set up the calculator and CBL for data collection. Select COLLECT DATA from the MAIN
MENU. Select TIME GRAPH from the DATA COLLECTION menu. Enter “5” as the time
between samples in seconds. Enter “48” as the number of samples. The CBL will collect data
for 4 minutes. Press ENTER then select USE TIME SETUP from the CONTINUE? Menu. Enter
“10” as the minimum temperature (Ymin). Enter “80” as the maximum temperature (Ymax).
Enter “5” as the temperature increment (Yscl).
8. Measure 50 ml of cool water with a graduated cylinder. Pour the water into the double
Styrofoam cup. Put the temperature probe through the hold in the bottom of the small cup.
Place the temperature probe in the water in the cup.
9. When the water has been boiling and the metal heating for 10 minutes, we can assume the
temperature of the metal is 100.0 °C. Record this as the initial temperature of the metal.
10. Work quickly through the following steps: Press ENTER on the calculator to begin data
collection. While the CBL is collecting a few data points to establish the initial temperature of
the water, get the metal out of the hot water. Shake it gently to remove excess water and place
it in the cool water in the Styrofoam cup. Try to submerge the metal completely. Slide the third
cup down on the others as a lid. Make sure the temperature probe stays in the water.
11. Swirl the calorimeter constantly to mix the water until the CBL finished collecting data and
“DONE” appears on the CBL screen.
12. When data collection is complete, press ENTER to display a graph of temperature vs. time.
Use the right arrow to move along the graph. Record the temperature of the water just before
the metal was added as the initial temperature of the water. Record the maximum temperature
on the graph as the final temperature of both the water and the metal.
13. Turn off the CBL unit and the graphing calculator by using 2 nd OFF. Carefully return all CBL
equipment to the plastic bags and cases provided and bring it to the lab cart.
14. Dispose of water in the sink. Return all lab equipment. Clean up your workstation.
REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS
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WS&H Act W210, Section 4, 5
Mb. Regulations 217/2006,
Part 16, (Machines / Tools & Robots) Sections 16.1-16.18)
Part 35, (WHMIS Application)
Part 36, (Chemical & Biological Substances Application)