Final answer:
To determine the specific heat of a liquid, measure the mass of the liquid, the temperature change, and the heat energy added or removed. Use the formula c = ∆Q / (m × ∆T) for the calculation.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine the specific heat of a liquid, you need to measure the mass of the liquid, the change in temperature (∆T), and the amount of heat energy (∆Q) added or removed. For example, specific heat (c) can be calculated using the formula:
c = ∆Q / (m × ∆T)
where ∆Q is the heat energy in joules (J), m is the mass of the substance in grams (g), and ∆T is the change in temperature in degrees Celsius (°C). When performing the experiment, ensure that all measurements are accurate and the heat exchange is only between the material and the liquid to avoid heat loss to the surroundings.