LAB: Specific Heat of a Metal
Prelab question:
A calorimeter containing
100.0 mL of roomtemperature water (23.2 C)
warms up to 48.1C when a
225 g sample of unknown
metal is placed inside. The
initial temperature of the
metal was 100.0 C.
Table 1: Specific Heats of Metals
Metal
Specific
Heat
(J/g ºC)
Aluminum
0.91
Iron
0.46
Lead
0.13
a) What is the specific heat
of this metal?
Silver
0.23
Tin
0.21
b) Identify this metal from the
list of possibilities in Figure 1.
Titanium
0.54
Zinc
0.39
Prelab question:
A calorimeter containing 100.0 mL of room-temperature water (23.2 C)
warms up to to 48.1C when a 225 g sample of unknown metal is placed
inside. The initial temperature of the metal was 100.0 C.
a) What is the specific heat of this metal?
Tmetal = Tf-Ti = 48.1C – 100.0C = -51.9C
mmetal = 225 g
Twater = Tf-Ti = 48.1C - 23.2C = 24.9C
mwater
1 cm3 100.0 mL



 100.0 g
3
1 mL
cm
1g
Prelab question:
A calorimeter containing 100.0 mL of room-temperature water (23.2 C)
warms up to to 48.1C when a 225 g sample of unknown metal is placed
inside. The initial temperature of the metal was 100.0 C.
a) What is the specific heat of this metal?
qcal = mwatercwater  ∆Twater
qcal = (100 g)(4.18 J/gC)(24.9 C)
qcal = 10,408.2 J
qrxn = -10,408.2 J
-10,408.2 J = (225g)(c)(-51.9C)
c = 0.891 J/gC
Prelab question:
A calorimeter containing 100.0 mL of roomtemperature water (23.2 C) warms up to to
48.1C when a 225 g sample of unknown
metal is placed inside. The initial
temperature of the metal was 115 C.
b) Identify this metal from the list of
possibilities in Figure 1.
cexperimental=0.891
The sample must be aluminum.
Table 1: Specific Heats of Metals
Metal
Specific
Heat
(J/g ºC)
Aluminum
0.91
Iron
0.46
Lead
0.13
Silver
0.23
Tin
0.21
Titanium
0.54
Zinc
0.39
In groups, write procedures for this lab. Do
not start the lab until your procedures have
been approved by your instructor.
PURPOSE:
To determine the specific
heat of an unknown metal
and use this value to
identify the unknown
metal when given a list of
possibilities
MATERIALS:
• Beaker, 600 mL
• Boiling stones
• Crucible tongs
• Graduated cylinder, 100-mL
• Hotplate
• Metal (bolt or sinker)
• Styrofoam cups (2)
• Thermometer
Sample procedures:
1. Add a few boiling stones and 250-mL of tap
water to a 400-mL beaker; heat the water
until the water is boiling gently using the hot
plate (DO NOT turn the hot plate to max.
DO STEP 2 WHILE WAITING FOR WATER
TO BOIL
2. Obtain a piece of metal from your teacher
and write the DESCRIPTION in your data
table (ex. Bolt or the Sinker).
3. Record the mass of your metal.
4. Using tongs, carefully place your metal in
the water that is gently boiling on the hot
plates. Allow the metal to heat up for 5-10
minutes. Continue to the next steps
while you wait.
5. Setup a makeshift calorimeter using 2
styrofoam cups (one as the base, one as
the top, which has a small hole in the top for
the thermometer).
6. Measure 75.0-100.0 mL of cool distilled
water in a graduated cylinder and pour this
water into your calorimeter. Record the
exact amount (nearest 0.1 mL) as the
mass of your water (since the density of
water = 1.0 g/mL, the volume = mass.
EXAMPLE, 50.0 mL = 50.0 grams of water).
7. Measure the temperature (to ONE
DECIMAL PLACE) of the water in the
calorimeter. Record this as the initial
temperature of the water in your data
table.
8. Check the thermometer of the hot water
bath and record this temperature (to
ONE DECIMAL PLACE) as the initial
temperature of the metal.
9. DO THIS STEP QUICKLY: Using tongs,
remove metal from hot water and
immediately place it in the calorimeter.
10. Monitor the temperature of the water in
the calorimeter. Carefully use the
thermometer to gently stir the water.
Record the highest temperature (to ONE
DECIMAL PLACE) as the final
temperature of the metal and as the
final temperature of the water in your
data table
11. Remove the metal from the cup, dry the
metal, and repeat the trial 2 more times.
12. Clean your designated lab area, return all
materials, and check in with your teacher
before returning to your desks.
What will you turn in?
• Each group will turn in their procedures.
• Each individual will turn in the following:
– Data table(s): clearly
organized/labeled/etc.
– Calculations:
• Determine specific heat of sample
– Show all work & round to SF at end
– All numbers must have units
• Identify metal
• Percentage error
– Discussion/conclusion: discuss a
Table 1: Specific Heats of Metals
Metal
Specific
Heat
(J/g ºC)
Aluminum
0.91
Iron
0.46
Lead
0.13
Silver
0.23
Tin
0.21
Titanium
0.54
minimum of 3 sources of error and explain how Zinc
each would affect your overall result (Ultimately,
how might each error affect your calculated
specific heat value?)
0.39