To determine the specific heat capacity of an unknown liquid (in this sample, water) by using
an electrical calorimeter and measuring the temperature change resulting from a known input
of electrical energy.
Specific heat capacity (𝑐) is defined as the amount of heat energy required to raise the
temperature of one kilogram of a substance by one degree Celsius (or one Kelvin). The
fundamental equation relating heat energy (𝑄), mass (𝑚), specific heat capacity (𝑐), and
change in temperature (𝛥𝑇) is:
𝑄 = 𝑚𝑐𝛥𝑇
In this experiment, heat is supplied to the liquid using an electrical immersion heater. The
electrical energy (𝐸) supplied by the heater can be calculated using the voltage (𝑉), current
(𝐼), and the time (𝑡) the heater is left on:
𝐸 = 𝑉𝐼𝑡
Assuming no heat is lost to the surroundings or the calorimeter itself (an ideal closed
system), the electrical energy supplied equals the heat energy gained by the liquid (𝐸 = 𝑄).
By substituting the equations, we can solve for the specific heat capacity of the liquid:
𝑉𝐼𝑡
𝑐=
𝑚𝛥𝑇
Equipment and Materials
Electrical calorimeter (copper or aluminum cup with an insulating jacket)
Immersion heater
DC Power supply
Voltmeter and Ammeter (or Multimeter)
Digital thermometer
Electronic balance
Stopwatch
Liquid to be tested (e.g., Distilled water)
1
1. Weigh the empty inner cup of the calorimeter on the electronic balance and record its
mass.
2. Fill the inner cup with enough liquid to completely submerge the heating element.
3. Weigh the cup with the liquid and calculate the exact mass of the liquid.
4. Assemble the calorimeter by placing the inner cup into the insulating jacket, inserting
the heater, and placing the thermometer into the liquid.
5. Wait a few minutes for the system to reach thermal equilibrium and record the initial
temperature.
6. Turn on the power supply and start the stopwatch simultaneously.
7. Record the voltage and current readings from the power supply.
8. Stir the liquid gently and continuously to ensure even heat distribution.
9. After a set time (e.g., 5 minutes), turn off the power supply and record the exact time.
[Link] stirring and monitor the thermometer. Record the highest temperature
reached as the final temperature.
2
No. Time Temperature Voltage Current
1 0 21 0 0
2 120 22.8 11.8 1.25
3 240 25.4 11.9 1.38
4 360 27.1 11.9 1.39
5 480 32 11.8 1.4
6 600 35.5 11.8 1.4
X-axis =𝑚(𝑇 − 𝑇° ) Y-axis =𝐼 ∗ 𝑉 ∗ (𝑡 − 𝑡° )
0 0
0.36 1770
0.88 3941.3
1.22 5954.8
2.2 7929.6
2.9 9912
12000
10000
8000
6000
4000
2000
0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5
∆𝑌
𝑆𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒 = 𝑚 = 𝐶 =
∆𝑋
3
1770 − 0
𝑚 = = 4916.667
0.36 − 0
3941.3 − 1770
𝑚 = = 4175.57 ∑𝑚 𝐽
0.88 − 0.36 𝐶= = 3972.27( )
𝑛 𝑘𝑔. ℃
5954.8 − 3941.3
𝑚 = = 5922.05
1.22 − 0.88
7929.6 − 5954.8
𝑚 =
2.2 − 1.22
= 2015.102
9912 − 7929.6
𝑚 = = 2832
2.9 − 2.2
The experimental specific heat capacity of the liquid was calculated to be 3972.27 J/(kg·°C).
Assuming the tested liquid was water, which has a theoretical specific heat capacity of
roughly 4184 J/(kg·°C), the experimental value is highly accurate, with a small percentage
error.
However, several sources of error usually exist in this experiment:
Heat loss to the surroundings: No insulation is perfect. Some heat inevitably escapes
into the air, meaning the actual energy absorbed by the water is slightly less than the
electrical energy supplied.
Heat absorbed by the calorimeter: The calculation assumed the calorimeter cup and
heater absorbed no heat. In a more rigorous analysis, the “water equivalent” or the
heat capacity of the calorimeter components must be factored into the equation.
Uneven heating: If the liquid was not stirred sufficiently, local hot spots near the
heater could cause an artificially high final temperature reading.
4
The experiment successfully determined the specific heat capacity of the provided liquid
using the electrical heating method. By supplying an average electrical energy of 16.1506 J
to 0.200 kg of the liquid and observing a 120.0 °C temperature rise, the specific heat capacity
was calculated to be 3972.27 J/(kg·°C). This demonstrates the direct proportional
relationship between heat energy transfer, mass, and temperature change.
1. Halliday & Resnick,
Fundamentals of Physics (Principles of Specific Heat).
2. CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics (Standard Reference Values for Water).
3. NIST Guide for the International System of Units (SI) (Standard Units and
Measurements).
4. Experiment Lab Manual, Specific Heat Capacity of Liquids.