Calorimetry: Specific Heat of a Metal

Known masses: hot metal (m_m) in cool water (m_w). Read equilibrium T_f with thermometer noise; c_m is computed from the energy balance.

School· 28 min

Goal

Determine c_m in J/(kg·K) from m_m, m_w, c_w = 4186, T_m, T_w, and measured T_f.

Energy balance: c_m = m_w c_w (T_f−T_w) / (m_m (T_m−T_f)).

Masses and initial temperatures are fixed in the model (80 °C metal, 20 °C water).
Press “Record” to take a thermometer reading of T_f (small random error).
The table shows c_m derived from T_f. Take several trials and compare the mean to the reference.

m_m = 0.1 kg, m_w = 0.2 kg, c_w = 4186 J/(kg·K), T_m = 80 °C, T_w = 20 °C.

T_f (model, no noise) ≈ 298.97 K

№	Equilibrium T_f K	c_m (J/(kg·K)) J/(kg·K)
No measurements yet — take your first reading.

Add at least 2 trials to compute the sample mean.

Opens the system print dialog — choose “Save as PDF” or your printer. Header and footer are hidden when printing.

One click opens the print dialog — choose “Save as PDF”.

Generated: 27 Apr 2026, 02:38

Determine c_m in J/(kg·K) from m_m, m_w, c_w = 4186, T_m, T_w, and measured T_f.

#	Equilibrium T_f (K)	c_m (J/(kg·K)) (J/(kg·K))
No measurements yet — take your first reading.

Add at least 2 trials to compute the sample mean.

c_m matches typical aluminum within tolerance after averaging trials.

PhysSandbox virtual lab — values come from your session; add your own discussion of error sources.

c_m matches typical aluminum within tolerance after averaging trials.