Question
Figure 2 shows the equipment a student used to determine the specific heat capacity of iron. The iron block the student used has two holes, one for the heater and one for the thermometer. square o Before the power supply was switched on, the thermometer was used to measure the temperature of the iron block. The student left the thermometer in the iron block for a few minutes before recordin the initial temperature. Suggest why. [1 mark] __
Answer
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Gilbert
Veteran · Tutor for 11 years
Answer
The student left the thermometer in the iron block for a few minutes before taking the temperature to allow for thermal equilibrium, ensuring accurate measurements.
Explanation
When any heat measuring activities occur, it's best to ensure that both environments or substances that we want to measure are at a uniform temperature distribution as possible. This process, where one allows a thermometer to sit for a while after inserting it into the body whose temperature needs to be recorded, is done to ensure that accurate data is obtained. When the thermometer is freshly inserted into the iron block, there may be some temperature differences between the iron block and the thermometer. If we record the temperature immediately, these differences may affect the accuracy and precision of our data. However, if we wait for a few minutes before recording the temperature, we have allowed enough time for the system (iron block and thermometer) to reach a state called thermal equilibrium. This means that the thermometer and the iron block will have the same temperature, ensuring that our measurements reflect the actual temperature of the iron block only.So, the student left the thermometer in the iron block for a few minutes before recording the initial temperature to ensure their findings are accurate and reliable, that the thermometer has had the time to equilibrate with the iron block's temperature, leading to a more exact temperature measurement.