Experiment 6: Method of Mixture Objective

EXPERIMENT 6 : METHOD OF MIXTURE
Objective:
 To determine the specific heat of one or more metals by the method of
mixtures.
Theory
The measurement of heat quantities by the method of mixtures makes use of
the principles that when a heat interchange takes place between two bodies
initially at different temperatures, the quantity of heat lost by the warmer body
is equal to that gained by the cooler body, and some intermediate equilibrium
temperature is finally reached. This is true, provided that no heat is gained
from or lost to surroundings.
Any given body is characterized by a heat capacity which is the amount of

heat required to raise the temperature of that particular body one degree
celcius. The specific heat of two different metals can be measured by studying
the heat interchange between a sample of each metal and mass of water. The
container in which this interchange happens is called a calorimeter. A
calorimeter is an insulated container that prevents external heat exchange.
The calorimeter is normally filled with water. To ensure that equilibrium
temperature is reached in a short time after the metal sample is placed in the
water inside the calorimeter, the water should be stirred. A thermometer is
used to measure this equilibrium temperature, assuming that its heat capacity
is too small and negligible.
In this experiment, a metal sample of known mass that has been heated to a
known high temperature is dropped into a known mass of water at a known
low temperature. After equilibrium has been established, the new temperature
of the water-copper calorimeter combination is measured. At this equilibrium
temperature, the water and calorimeter must have gained the heat loss by the
metal sample, according the following relation,
Mc(t1-t2)=(mwcw+m1c1)(t2-t3)…………(1)
Where M is the mass of the metal sample in kg, c is the specific heat of the
metal, t1 is the metal’s sample initial temperature, t 2 is the final temperature, t3
is the initial temperature of the water and calorimeter, m w is the mass ofthe
water, m1 is the mass of the calorimeter, c w is the specific heat of water and c 1
is the specific heat of the calorimeter.
Table 1 Specific heat

Aluminium 900 J/kg℃
Iron 452 J/kg℃
Water 4186 J/kg℃
Copper 387 J/kg℃
Apparatus
1. Calorimeter
2. Boiler and tripod stand
3. Bunsen burner/ hot plate
4. Equal-arm balance and set of weights
5. 0-100℃ thermometer
6. 0-50℃ thermometer
7. Sample cylinder no. 1 (aluminium metal)
8. Sample cylinder no. 2 (iron metal)
9. Dry cotton
Procedure
1. The boiler was filled with sufficient amount of water and was placed on
the tripod. The bunsen burner is put under it and the water was bring to a
boil.
2. The empty calorimeter was weigh including its stirrer.
3. Sample 1 was weigh and lowered into the boiling water by means of
thread. The cylinder was immersed in the water but did not touch the
bottom or sides of sides of the boiler. The sample was left in the water for
about 10 minutes so that all parts of it have the same temperature.
4. Cold water was poured into the calorimeter until it is about half full. Then,
the calorimeter containing water was weigh.
5. The calorimeter in its insulating jacket was replaced and the temperature
was measured by using a 0-50℃ thermometer. This temperature was
recorded.
6. The sample of cylinder was quickly transferred from the boiler to the
calorimeter without splashing any water. The water was stirred and the
equilibrium temperature was indicated on the 0-50℃ thermometer was
recorded.
7. The temperature of the boiling water was measured and recorded by
using 0-100℃ thermometer.
8. The procedures 3 to 7 was repeated for sample 2.
Results
Weight of calorimeter= Specific heat of calorimeter=
Data for Metal 1
Weight of cylinder
Weight of calorimeter
Weight of cold water
Initial temperature of cold water
Temperature of boiling water
Equilibrium temperature
Calculated specific latent heat
Theoretical specific latent heat
Percent error
Results Analysis
1. Calculate the specific heat of metal 1 from the data.
2. Calculate the specific heat of metal 2 from the data.
3. Compare the results for the specific heats with those given in Table 1.
Discussion & Conclusion

 The specific heat for metal 1= J/kg℃
 Relate with objective/s and theory.

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EXPERIMENT 6 : METHOD OF MIXTURE

Any given body is characterized by a heat capacity which is the amount of

Table 1 Specific heat

Discussion & Conclusion

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