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A student investigated the specific heat capacity of metals. (a) Describe an experiment the student could do to measure the specific he capacity of a metal.

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A student investigated the specific heat capacity of metals.
(a) Describe an experiment the student could do to measure the specific he
capacity of a metal.

A student investigated the specific heat capacity of metals. (a) Describe an experiment the student could do to measure the specific he capacity of a metal.

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ValaMaster · Tutor for 5 years

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<p> Refer to explanation.</p>

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<p> <br />The student could conduct the following experiment:<br />1. Take a block of the metal whose specific heat capacity is to be determined. <br />2. Attach a heating device to the metal, usually a heating coil is perfect for this.<br />3. Attach a thermometer to the metal such that it can register its change in temperature.<br />4. Record the original temperature of this metal block.<br />5. Now, heat the metal for a predetermined amount of time meanwhile maintaining a constant power/energy input, and allowing no heat to escape if possible.<br />6. After this time has elapsed, record the new temperature of the metal.<br />7. The specific heat capacity of this metal can then be determined using the formula: <br /><br /> Q = mcΔT <br /> <br /> where:<br /> Q is the heat supplied,<br /> m is the mass of the material,<br /> c is the specific heat capacity,<br /> ΔT is the change in temperature.<br /> <br />8. Rearranging the formula to find c, we have c = Q/(m*ΔT). The heat supplied (Q) can be determined from the known power of the heater and how long it was on for.<br /> <br />Through this experiment, the specific heat capacity of the metal can be determined.<br /></p>
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