Investigatory Project Physics

ORCHIDS, THE INTERNATIONAL
SCHOOL
BANGALORE
Investigatory Project in Physics

Topic:
To determine the specific heat capacity of a given solid
by the method of mixtures.
Submitted to
Nawaharsh Sir
Submitted by
Ronald Samuel R
Grade: XI
CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that bonafide

student of class has successfully completed the
project titled in the laboratory of
prescribed by the Central Board of
Secondary Education for the AISSCE for the year
Teacher in – charge HOD Principal
External Examiner Date:

Acknowledgement
I wish to express my gratitude to my Nawaharsh Sir

teacher who has been instrumental in helping me
complete this project.
I also wish to express my sincere thanks to our beloved

Principal Dr Leena Pascal, The Management of ORCHIDS
for having changed our focus from exam- based learning to
knowledge-learning which I now understand will go a long
way in molding my future ahead for better prospects.
I wish to thank my parents, friends and all those who have

directly or indirectly contributed towards completion this
project effectively.
Investigatory Project
Aim:
To determine the specific heat capacity of a given solid by the
method of mixtures.
Materials Required:
1. A hypsometer
2. Calorimeter
3. Stirrer
4. A lid and outer jacket
5. Solid in small pieces
6. Balance
7. Weight box
8. Two half-degree thermometers
9. Coldwater
10. Clamp stand
Theory:
The calorimeter is a device used to measure the heat flow of a
chemical or physical reaction. Calorimetric is the process of
measuring this heat. It consists of a metal container to hold water
above the combustion chamber and a thermometer to measure the
temperature change. Hypsometer is an instrument used to
determine the boiling point of water at a given altitude.
Diagram:
Procedure:
1. Put thermometers A and B in a beaker containing water and
note their reading. Let thermometer A is a standard to find the
correction that is to be applied to thermometer B.
2. Put the thermometer B into the copper tube of a hypsometer
containing the powder of the given solid. Before placing the
hypsometer on the burner, add a sufficient amount of water.
3. Record the weight of the calorimeter with a stirrer and lid over
it.
4. Add water (temperature between 5 to 8℃) to the calorimeter
at half-length and weigh it again.
5. Heat the hypsometer till the temperature of the solid is steady.
6. Note the temperature of water in calorimetry. Now slowly stir
and add the solid powder from the hypsometer to the
calorimeter and record the final temperature of the mixture.
7. Remove thermometer A from the calorimeter.
8. Note the weight of the calorimeter with the contents and lid.
Observations:
Reading of thermometer A = TA = ……… ℃
Reading of thermometer B = TB = ……… ℃
Correction applied in B with respect to A (TA – TB) = …….. ℃
Mass of calorimeter and stirrer m = …….. g
Water equivalent of calorimeter ω = m × 0.095 = …….. g
Specific heat of copper calorimeter = 0.095 cal/g
Mass of calorimeter + stirrer + lid = m1 = ……. g
Mass of calorimeter + stirrer + lid + cold water = m2 = …… g
The steady temperature of hot solid = Ts = …….. ℃
Corrected temperature of hot solid T =Ts – (TA – TB) = ……… ℃
The temperature of cold water = t =……… ℃
The temperature of the mixture = Ө =…….. ℃
Mass of calorimeter, stirrer, lid, cold water, and solid = m 3 =…… g
Calculations
Mass of cold water = m2 – m1 =…….. g
Mass of hot solid = m3 – m2 =…….. g
Rise of the temperature of cold water and calorimeter = Ө – t =……….
℃
Fall in temperature of solid = T – Ө =……… ℃
Heat gain by calorimeter, cold water and stirrer = [ω + ( m 2 – m1)(Ө –
t)] =……. (a)
Heat lost by solid = (m3 – m2) × C × (T – Ө) =……. (a)
Here, C is the specific heat of solid to be calculated.
According to the principle of calorimeter, heat lost = heat gained
(m3 – m2) × C × (T – Ө) = [ω + ( m2 – m1)(Ө – t)]
C=[ω+(m2−m1)(θ−t)][(m3−m2)(T−θ)]=…..cal/g0C
Result:
Specific heat of given solid by the method of the mixture is ………. cal
g-1 ℃-1.
Precautions:
1. A sufficient amount of solid powder should be used to cover the
tip of the thermometer.
2. A sufficient amount of water should be taken in a hypsometer.
3. Dropping of solid should be quick and gentle.
4. To avoid excess radiation, the calorimeter should be polished
from the outside.
5. The temperature of cold water should not cross the dew point.
Sources of Error:
1. There might be heat loss while transferring solid into the
calorimeter.
2. During conduction, convection, and radiation, there might be
heat loss.
3. The bulbs of the thermometer might not be completely inside
the solid.
Note: To determine the specific heat of a given liquid by the method

of mixtures, the liquid is taken in place of cold water to determine
the specific heat. Proceed with the same procedure as in the
experiment.

Investigatory Project Physics

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ORCHIDS, THE INTERNATIONAL

Investigatory Project in Physics

This is to certify that bonafide

Teacher in – charge HOD Principal

External Examiner Date:

I wish to express my gratitude to my Nawaharsh Sir

I also wish to express my sincere thanks to our beloved

I wish to thank my parents, friends and all those who have

Note: To determine the specific heat of a given liquid by the method

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