Question

Explain the procedure of finding specific heat of solid experimentally.

Answer 1

Step 1: Definition of Specific Heat:

The specific heat of a substance is defined as the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one gram molecule of the substance by one degree centigrade.

Hence, specific heat can be expressed as

$C=\frac{dQ}{dT}$

where $dT$ is the change in temperature of a gram mole of the substance from $T$ to $T+dT$ due to the application of $dQ$ amount of heat.

Step 2: Procedure to find Specific Heat:

1. First, we require a calorimeter, and we will measure its mass.
2. The mass of the calorimeter must be measured along with the stirrer and the lid.
3. Measure the mass and temperature of the calorimeter again after filling its one-third of volume with water.
4. Introduce shots of lead into the calorimeter and make sure that minimum heat is lost.
5. After a while, the settlement of the mixture is observed to a certain temperature.
6. Measure the mass and temperature of the whole system again.
7. Assuming that no heat is lost to the surrounding, the final temperature obtained by the water and the calorimeter is a result of the heat lost by the solid.
8. Since the specific heat of water and calorimeter is already known to us, we can obtain the specific heat of the solid using the formula.