Cambridge International

AS and A Level Physics (9702)

Practical booklet 10

Determination of specific heat capacity

using a cooling curve
Introduction
Practical work is an essential part of science. Scientists use evidence gained from prior
observations and experiments to build models and theories. Their predictions are tested with
practical work to check that they are consistent with the behaviour of the real world. Learners
who are well trained and experienced in practical skills will be more confident in their own
abilities. The skills developed through practical work provide a good foundation for those
wishing to pursue science further, as well as for those entering employment or a non-science
career.

The science syllabuses address practical skills that contribute to the overall understanding of
scientific methodology. Learners should be able to:

1. plan experiments and investigations

2. collect, record and present observations, measurements and estimates

3. analyse and interpret data to reach conclusions

4. evaluate methods and quality of data, and suggest improvements.

The practical skills established at AS Level are extended further in the full A Level. Learners
will need to have practised basic skills from the AS Level experiments before using these
skills to tackle the more demanding A Level exercises. Although A Level practical skills are
assessed by a timetabled written paper, the best preparation for this paper is through
extensive hands-on experience in the laboratory.

The example experiments suggested here can form the basis of a well-structured scheme of
practical work for the teaching of AS and A Level science. The experiments have been
carefully selected to reinforce theory and to develop learners’ practical skills. The syllabus,
scheme of work and past papers also provide a useful guide to the type of practical skills that
learners might be expected to develop further. About 20% of teaching time should be
allocated to practical work (not including the time spent observing teacher demonstrations),
so this set of experiments provides only the starting point for a much more extensive scheme
of practical work.

© Cambridge International Examinations 2014

2 Cambridge International AS and A Level Physics 9702

Practical 10 – Guidance for teachers

Determination of specific heat capacity using a cooling curve

Aim
To use theory from electricity and heat and apply a cooling correction.

Outcomes

Syllabus sections 1.2e, 2.1a, 12.1b

Skills included in the practical

A Level skills How learners develop the skills
Planning Plan an experiment

This practical provides an opportunity to build on essential skills introduced at AS Level.

AS Level skills How learners develop the skills

MMO collection
Measure mass using a balance
MMO values Measure temperature using a thermometer
MMO quality of data
PDO table
Collect and record data in a table
PDO recording
Draw a graph
PDO graph
Draw a tangent to a curve to find a rate of change

Theory

When some water in a beaker is heated up the graph of temperature against time is not a
straight line. This is because the greater the temperature difference between the water and
the surroundings, the greater the rate of loss of heat to the surroundings.

When the heating stops the graph is not a straight line because the rate of cooling decreases
as the temperature of the water approaches room temperature.

Cambridge International AS and A Level Physics 9702 3

Physics Practical 10 – Guidance for teachers

At a particular temperature 1, the rate of temperature increase SH is the gradient of the curve
at 1 as the water is increasing in temperature, and the rate of temperature decrease SC is the
positive gradient of the curve at 1 where the water is decreasing in temperature.

If the water is heated electrically then VI = (MWCW + MGCG) (SH + SC)

where:
V = voltmeter reading CW = specific heat capacity of water
I = ammeter reading CG = specific heat capacity of glass
MW = mass of water MG = mass of glass

Method

 Learners set up the circuit shown below.

 They record the mass of the beaker and add 75 cm3 of water to it, then record the mass
of the beaker plus water and calculate the mass of water. They also record the
temperature of the water in the beaker.

 Learners place the resistor in the water, close the switch and start the stopwatch,
recording values of time t and temperature  until the temperature has risen by 15°C.

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Physics Practical 10 – Guidance for teachers

 When the temperature has risen by 15°C they open the switch and continue to take
readings until the temperature has dropped to 6°C below the maximum temperature
reached.

Results

Learners record all of their readings in a table, such as that below.

t/s /°C

Interpretation and evaluation

Learners draw graphs of the results. At a temperature 4°C below the maximum temperature
reached they draw tangents to both the heating and cooling curves. They then find the
gradients of both tangents, SH and SC.
Learners then determine CW from VI = (MWCW + MGCG) (SH + SC).

Planning

A planning task is also given, in which learners consider an extension to the experiment by
using the same apparatus to investigate Newton’s law of cooling.

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Physics Practical 10 – Guidance for teachers

6 Cambridge International AS and A Level Physics 9702

Practical 10 – Information for technicians

Determination of specific heat capacity using a cooling curve

Each learner will require:

(a) 12 V d.c. power supply

(b) ammeter with range 0-10A reading to 0.01 A

(c) voltmeter with range 0-20 V

(d) 15  resistor with a wire of length 15 cm soldered to each end. The other end of each wire
should be bared

(e) switch

(f) thermometer

(g) 250 ml beaker with markings every 50 ml

(h) measuring cylinder and supply of water at room temperature

(i) stirrer

(j) six connecting wires

(k) two crocodile clips

(l) stopwatch

(m) access to a balance

(n) paper towels

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Physics Practical 10 – Information for technicians

2 Cambridge International AS and A Level Physics 9702

Practical 10 – Worksheet

Determination of specific heat capacity using a cooling curve

Aim

To use theory from electricity and heat and apply a cooling correction.

Method

1. Set up the circuit shown below.

2. Record the mass MG of the glass beaker.

3. Add approximately 75 cm3 of water to the beaker (about half way between the 50 and
100 cm3 markings).

4. Record the mass MT of the beaker and water and calculate the mass of water MW using
MW = MT – MG.

5. Record the temperature R of the water in the beaker.

6. Place the resistor below the surface of the water in the beaker.

7. Close the switch.

8. Start the stopwatch.

9. Record the ammeter reading I and the voltmeter reading V.

10. Record values of time t and temperature  every minute until the temperature has risen
by 15 °C above R.

11. Open the switch and continue to take readings until the temperature has dropped to 6 °C
below the maximum temperature reached.

Results

Record all of your readings.

t/s /°C

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Physics Practical 10 – Worksheet

Interpretation and evaluation

When the water is heated up the graph of temperature against time is not a straight line
because the greater the temperature difference between the water and R, the greater the
rate of loss of heat to the surroundings.

When the water cools the graph is not a straight line because the rate of cooling decreases
as the temperature of the water approaches R.

At a particular temperature 1, the rate of temperature increase SH is the gradient of the curve
at 1 as the water is increasing in temperature, and the rate of temperature decrease SC is the
positive gradient of the curve at 1 where the water is decreasing in temperature.

1. Draw a graph of your results.

2. At a temperature 1 where 1 is 4 °C below the maximum temperature reached, draw

tangents to both the heating and cooling curves.

3. Find the gradients of both tangents, SH and SC.

4. Determine CW from VI = (MWCW + MGCG) (SH + SC) where the specific heat capacity of
glass CG = 840 J/(kg K).

Planning

It is suggested that the cooling of hot water is described by the equation

θ=θR + ( θ H−θ R ) e−αt

where H is the initial temperature of the hot water, R is room temperature, t is time and  is
a constant.

Design a laboratory experiment, using the apparatus provided, to test the relationship
between  and t and determine a value for  You should pay particular attention to the
experimental procedure, the measurements to be taken, the control of variables, the analysis
of the data and any safety precautions to be taken.

2 Cambridge International AS and A Level Physics 9702