Specific Heat Lab

Determine the identity of an unknown metal sample.

1. Fill the calorimeter between half and two-thirds full of water.

2. Record the mass of the water.

3. Place a thermometer in the calorimeter and record the initial temperature of the water.
4. Take the calorimeter to the teacher station to obtain an unknown mass. The teacher will place the unknown mass into the calorimeter.
5. Record the initial temperature of the unknown mass in your data table.
6. Take the calorimeter back to your lab station.
7. Watch the temperature reading for the maximum temperature reached by the water/metal combination. Record the highest temperature reached.
8. While waiting for the temperature to reach its highest value, derive an equation to determine the specific heat of the unknown sample.
9. Once equilibrium temperature has been reached, return the calorimeter to the teacher.
10. Measure the mass of the unknown sample.
11. Calculate the specific heat of the unknown sample and record.

Data Table

1. What are sources of error that could have occurred in your lab.

2. If the same amount of heat was provided to the same mass of the metals: Al, Cu, Pb, Sn, Zn and Fe which metal would have the highest temperature? Why?

3. If the same amount of heat was provided to the same mass of the metals: Al, Cu, Pb, Sn, and Zn, which metal would have the lowest temperature? Why?

4. How is specific heat similar to density?

5. Given the same size metals under the same conditions, which metals (in general) would cool faster?