Specific Heat Capacity E-practical
Introduction
In this experiment we measure the specific heat of brass, by heating a brass weight in boiling water and then transferring it to a calorimeter filled with water, where we can monitor the rise in temperature. Knowing the specific heat capacities of the water, and the calorimeter, we can then equate heat loss to heat gain and deduce the specific heat capacity of brass.
Realistic experimental technique
E-practicals are 3d, highly realistic emulations based on a blend of theory and the actual practicals, giving an authentic experience of doing the actual practical in a laboratory. Students operate the apparatus, make measurements and obtain their own results. It is designed to reproduce the experience of performing the practical rather than simply demonstrating the underlying physics. Like a real experiment, it can be done badly. Careless setup or measurements can produce poor results, so students have to apply experimental technique and take care with their measurements.
Useful when laboratory access is limited
Ideal for preparation before a practical, revision afterwards, missed practicals, home study, or demonstrating an experiment when setting up the real apparatus isn't practical.
Watch it in Action
This shows how the e-practical can be used. In particular it shows how the student or teacher interacts with the apparatus and how the interaction can be controlled using the mouse or the alternative on-screen controls.
Works directly in a browser
No installation is required. Windows, Mac and suitable mobile devices can run the WebGL e-practical.
What students do
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Start by lighting the Bunsen burner. The water will start to heat.
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The heating rate can be increased by opening the air intake on the Bunsen burner.
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It will take some minutes to reach a maximum temperature. Note this maximum temperature.
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Pick up the brass weight and move it from the beaker to the cold water in the calorimeter, click on the weight to start carrying it, click again to drop it (note the shadow indicates the weights position above the calorimeter).
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You can move the weight in any direction using the arrows which appear when you pick it up. If you drop it, you can pick it up again, even if it falls on the floor, but remember that it will be losing heat to the room all the time it is out of the calorimeter.
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Start the Shaker to even out the heating of the water.
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Note the temperature of the water before adding the weight and then at 15 second intervals.
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Determine the highest temperature and therefore the heat gained by the water and calorimeter and the heat loss of the brass.
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A correction can be made to the directly observed maximum by noting that there is an inevitable heat loss from the calorimeter to the room. If you record the temperature for several minutes after the maximum has been reached, you can tell how much heat is being lost to the room per minute and use that to correct the observed maximum.
What you get
The application is supplied as a PowerPoint which provides background, a synopsis of what the student will learn, a description of the Physics involved, a description of the apparatus, the independent and dependent variables, the method, a link to the interactive online e-practical, analysis of the results and further discussion.
E-practical
Runs in a modern web browser. No software installation required. Recommended or desktops but will run successfully on tablets of medium to large size with a browser that supports WebGL.
School/Department licence £9.99
Valid for 1 year