Question

A student investigated the change in temperature when oils of different specific heat capacities were heated.

She set up the apparatus shown in Figure 5.
This is the method used.
1. Put 25 g of oil into a boiling tube.
2. Pour 100 ml of water into a beaker and heat it with a Bunsen burner.
3. When the water is boiling, put the boiling tube into the beaker.
4. When the temperature of the oil reaches 30 °C, heat for a further 30 seconds and record the rise in temperature.
5. Repeat with different oils.
6. Repeat the whole investigation.
Name two pieces of apparatus the student used that are not shown in Figure 5 suggest one improvement to the students method ki

Answer 1

The student's experiment on the specific heat capacities of different oils likely used a thermometer and a timer. Improvements include using a water bath for more consistent heating. Calorimetry reveals differences in heat capacities of materials, such as sand and water, by comparing temperature changes during heating and cooling.

Step-by-step explanation:

Investigating Specific Heat Capacities

In the student's investigation to determine the change in temperature when heating oils with different specific heat capacities, several apparatus are required, and improvements can be made to the method. Two pieces of apparatus not shown in Figure 5 but used in the experiment could be a thermometer for measuring the oil's temperature and a timer to monitor the heating duration. To improve the method, the student could ensure more consistent heat transfer by using a water bath instead of directly heating with a Bunsen burner, as the water bath allows for more uniform distribution of heat.

Calorimetry Experiments

To study the differences in heat capacity between land and water, calorimetry techniques can be employed. By choosing equal masses of materials such as dry sand and water, observing their temperature changes under the same heating conditions, and then monitoring how they cool, we can compare their heat capacities. The experiment design ensures a controlled environment to analyze how the different materials absorb and release heat. An improvement would be to measure and adjust the volumes appropriately based on the densities so that the masses of sand and water are truly equal.

Understanding the specific heat helps in explaining real-world phenomena, such as why land heats up and cools down more quickly than water, which affects climate. Calorimetry experiments are central in teaching students about specific heat and heat transfer processes.