“To determine the value of J, the mechanical equivalent of
heat bySUPERVISED
electrical method.
BY: "
SALMA BEGOM
FACULTY
DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS [PHYSICS LAB 2]
AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY - BANGLADESH
Submitted By:
JAHID HASAN ANTOR (21-45328-2)
MD HASIBUL HAQUE(23-51668-2)
KHALID BIN ABDUL KADIR(24-60166-3)
HASNINE ALOM RIMON(24-57079-1)
SHIKET RAY RAZU(23-53949-3)
Table of Content
• Theory
• Apparatus
• Procedure
• Observation
• Experimental Data
• Calculation
• Error Calculation
• Result
• Discussion
Theory
The mechanical equivalent of heat J is the number of Joules of electrical energy required to generate
one calorie of heat.
If V volt be the potential difference across a conducting coil and i ampere be the current flowing through the
coil in, I seconds, then electrical energy expended in the coil is WI. Hence if this energy is converted into H
calories of heat we have,
If the heat thus developed be measured by means of a calorimeter, then the temperature of the calorimeter
with its contents will rise from 80C to 80C. Hence the heat taken up by the calorimeter and its contents
is given by
Where,
m1= mass of the calorimeter
m2=mass of the stirrer
m3= mass of the contents in the calorimeter
S =specific heat of calorimeter
1
Theory
S2 =specific heat of stirrer
S3= specific heat of the contents in the calorimeter
From equation (1) and (2), we get
Apparatus
Calorimeter with heating coil Thermomet Stopwatch Voltmeter
er
Ammet Balance Connection wire
er
•.
Procedure
Step 1 – Make connections as shown in the figure 1. Step 3 –The circuit should be closed temporarily to
Clean the calorimeter and weigh it. Pour some liquid adjust a current of about 2 amperes. The stopwatch
(water) in the calorimeter and weigh it again. Hence and current are started simultaneously, and the liquid
determine the mass of the liquid. is stirred. The current, voltage, and temperature are
recorded at one-minute intervals
Step 2 – The heating coil should be put in the
calorimeter, ensuring it is just completely dipped in
the liquid. A thermometer should be inserted in the
calorimeter with its bulb positioned near the middle
region of the water without touching the coil. The
calorimeter is to be placed inside a double-walled
chamber.
Figure I: Determining the value off
Procedure
Step 5 –When the temperature has risen by about 8°C, the current should be stopped, and the time for
which the current flowed should be noted, while the stopwatch is allowed to continue. The temperature
will rise further. The time from the start of the stopwatch to the maximum temperature rise should be
noted. This temperature should be recorded, and the liquid should be stirred as before. The calorimeter is
then allowed to undergo the same duration as the temperature rise, and the temperature is noted again.
The actual temperature loss during the heating process is calculated as half of this fall in temperature.
This loss is added to the observed maximum temperature to determine the maximum temperature of the
liquid.
Observation
Mass of calorimeter m1 = 61gm
Mass of calorimeter and water m = 150.4gm
Mass of stirrer m2= 10gm
Mass of water m3 = 89.4 gm
Specific heat of calorimeter s1 =0.0909 cal/gm-0C
Specific heat of stirrer s2 = 0.089cal/gm-0C
Specific heat of water s3 =1 cal/gm-0C
Experimental Data
Table for Readings of current-voltage-temperature
No fo obs Time (m) Current (I) Voltage(v) Temp (0c)
1 0 0.91 7.2 26.2
2 1 0.91 7.2 26.6
3 2 0.91 7.2 27.1
4 3 0.91 7.2 27.9
5 4 0.91 7.2 28.5
6 5 0.91 7.2 29.3
Experimental Data
No fo obs Time (m) Current (I) Voltage(v) Temp (0c)
7 6 0.91 7.2 26.2
8 7 0.91 7.2 26.6
9 8 0.91 7.2 27.1
10 9 0.91 7.2 27.9
11 10 0.91 7.2 28.5
12 12 0.91 7.2 29.3
13 14 0.91 7.2 30
14 16 0.91 7.2 30.9
15 18 0.91 7.2 31.6
16 20 0.91 7.2 32.1
17 23 0.91 7.2 32.8
18 26 0.91 7.2 33.6
19 29 0.91 7.2 34.5
20 32 0.91 7.2 35.1
21 35 0.91 7.2 35.8
Calculation
• Mean voltage during the interval V = 7.2 v
• Mean current during the interval, I = 0.91 A
• Time during which the current is passed, T= 720 s
• Corrected rise of temperature =9.810c
• Radiation correction , =0.210c
• Temperature after falling to same length of time, 35.36 0c
• Rise of temperature, - =9.6 0c
• Final temperature of calorimeter with its contents, =35.8 0c
• Initial temperature of calorimeter with its contents, 26.2 0c
So, mechanical equivalent of heat ,
J= = 4.89 J/cal
Error Calculation
Percentage difference=
=16.42 %
Result
From the exp, the value of mechanical equivalent of heat J=4.89 J/cal
Discussion
• The experiment successfully determined the mechanical
equivalent of heat (J) to be 4.89 J/cal, showing how electrical
energy can be quantitatively related to thermal energy. Although the
result had a 16.42% error, it still aligns reasonably with the
theoretical concept considering the experimental limitations. This
lab reinforced important concepts in thermodynamics, including
energy transformation, heat capacity, and the significance of careful
measurement and correction for environmental losses.
Reference
Lab Manual
Online Portal : Vdemy, Byju’s
Website: Mordan Physics.
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