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Specific Heat Capacity and Latent Heat Questions - GCSE standard

Q9. Andy carried out an experiment to determine the specific heat capacity of water. Here is a diagram of the equipment he used to heat the water.

(a) Explain why Andy insulated the beaker of water.

To prevent heat energy escaping to the surroundings.

[1 mark]

(b) One hazard in this experiment is the hot water. Give one risk caused by this hazard.

Hot water could scald Andy.

[1 mark]

(c) The diagram shows of the thermometer that Andy used in more detail.

What is the resolution of the thermometer?

± 1 oC

Resolution is the number of pieces or parts that the output or displayed reading from a sensor can be broken down into - in this case it is marked every 1 oC

. You can sometimes estimate the reading to the nearest 0.5 oC but no more accurately than that.

[1 mark]

(d) The diagram shows the beaker of water on a balance.

The mass of the water was 200 g

What was the mass of the beaker in kilograms?

200 g = 0.20 kg

0.26 - 0.20 = 0.06 kg

[1 mark]

(e) The energy transferred to the water was 26.4 kJ The mass of water was 0.20 kg.

The temperature increase of the water was 30 °C.

Calculate the specific heat capacity of water using the data from this experiment.

Energy transferred = mass x SHC x temperature change

E = mcΔT

26.4 = 0.20 x c x 30

c = 26.4/6

c = 4.4 kJ kg-1 oC-1

OR

c = 4400 J kg-1 oC-1

[4 marks]

(Total 8 marks)