Virtual Specific heat lab
Problem:
In this lab, you will determine the specific heat of copper in cal/gC. This will be
accomplished by doing a virtual lab demo.
Procedure:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Select Copper
Set copper mass at 61g
Set temperature of copper at 100C
For water set water weight at 125 g ( this will be 125 ml)
Set water temperature to 24C ( roughly room temp)
Press start.
Record highest temperature reached.
Do the following calculation:
1. Calculate the change in temperature of the water. This will be the highest
temperature reached (#7) minus temperature of water (#5)
2. Calculate the heat gained by the water. The formula is:
Heat gained = mass x (specific heat) x change in temperature
o Mass = weight of water
o Specific heat of water = 1cal/gC
o Change in temp = answer #1
3. Remember that the heat gained by water is equal to the heat lost by copper,
calculate the specific heat of copper ( this is in a different unit than what the
virtual lab gives you as the specific heat)
Heat lost = mass x (specific heat) x change in temperature
o Mass = mass of copper
o Specific heat = unknown ( what you are solving for)
o Change in temperature = set temperature of copper ( #3) minus highest
temp reached ( #7)
o Heat lost by copper = heat gained by water ( step #2 calculations)
4. Convert the given specific heat of copper in J/gC to cal/gC
Remember that 1 joule = 4.184 celeries
This will be your accepted value
5. Calculate the percent error
% error = accepted/theoretical x 100
Accepted are #4 calculations
Theoretical is #3 calculations
Be sure you understand these calculations as we will be using this virtual lab as a
practice before we enter the lab and actually perform the specific heat lab