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Sample for S6 Physics SBA Detail Report

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18 views

Sample for S6 Physics SBA Detail Report

Uploaded by

Suki Chan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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S.

6 Physics Experiment – Detailed Laboratory Report (Sample)


S.6 ____ Name : _____________________________ ( ) Date : ___________

(Part A – Complied by teacher)

Title : To determine the specific heat capacity of water

Aim To find how temperature rise (T) produced in a fixed mass of water is related with the
amount of energy E transferred to it using electrical heating

Apparatus : 1 polystyrene cup with lid, 1 immersion heater, 1 stirrer, 1 thermometer, 1 100 mL
measuring cylinder, 1 stop watch, 1 power supply, 2 connecting wires.

Theory : Experiments have shown that the amount of energy required to heat a substance is directly
proportional to the mass m and the temperature rise  T of the substance, i.e. E  m  T . Hence we
E
have c  where the constant c is called the specific heat capacity.
m T

Method : The apparatus has been set up as shown in the figure.

(1) Measure 200 mL (i.e. 200 g) water into a polystyrene cup. Insert the immersion heater, stirrer and
thermometer. Measure initial temperature ( _______________________ oC).

(2) Turn on the power supply and at the same time start a stop-watch. Stir the water gently and
continuously to ensure uniform heating. Record the temperature of water at 2 minutes (120 seconds)
interval. After about 10 minutes switch off the supply.

(3) Record the power of the immersion heater ( _________________________ W).

(4) Plot a graph of the temperature rise  T against the time t.


S.6 Physics Experiment – Detailed Laboratory Report (Sample)
Results (Part B – Compiled by individual student)

Measurement and data evaluation:

1. Power of the immersion heater P = 72 W.

t/s 0 120 240 360 480 600


T / C
o
0 8 18 28 35 45

2. Based on the setup shown in the figure, the temperature rise  T (in oC) is related to the time t (in s)
by the following equation :

 P 
P t  m c T OR  T    t
 mc 

3. The temperature rise  T against the time t was plotted on a graph paper (Graph 1).

4. The slope of the graph was measured to give the specific heat capacity of water.

5. Slope of the graph = 0.075 oC s-1.

P 72
6. The specific heat capacity of water c    4800 J kg-1 oC-1.
m  slope 0.2  0.075

Discussion :

I. Source of error:

1. The immersion heater was not totally immersed into the water so that the heat energy generated
by the heater was not totally transferred to the water.

2. The polystyrene cup absorbed heat energy from the water.

3. Heat was lost to the surroundings through the polystyrene cup by thermal conduction.

II. Precautions:

1. The water inside the polystyrene cup should be stirred gently throughout the experiment to
ensure uniform heating of the water.

2. An insulated tile should be placed under the polystyrene cup to prevent heat loss through
thermal conduction to the bench.

3. The thermometer should not be touched with the bottom of the polystyrene cup so as to measure
accurately the temperature of the water.

Conclusion :

In the experiment, the relation between the rise in temperature of water and the time taken to heat the
water had been studied. Based on the result of experiment, the specific heat capacity of water was 4800 J
kg-1 oC-1.
S.6 Physics Experiment – Detailed Laboratory Report (Sample)

Graph (1) : Relationship between Rise in temperature and Time


T / oC

40

20

0 t/s
200 400 600

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