GCSEPhysicsrequiredpracticalactivity:Specificheatcapacity
Studentsheet
Required practical activity Apparatus and techniques
An investigation to determine the specific heat capacity of one or
more materials. The investigation will involve linking the decrease of
one energy store (or work done) to the increase in temperature and
subsequent increase in thermal energy stored.
AT 1, AT 5
What is the specific heat capacity of certain metals?
In this investigation you will heat up a block of metal using an electric heater.
You will measure:
mass
work done by the heater
temperature.
You will plot a graph of temperature against work done. The gradient of this graph and the mass of the
block will be used to determine the specific heat capacity of aluminium.
Learning outcomes
1 Read measurements off a scale in a practical context and record appropriately.
2 Determine the slope of a linear graph in order to determine the specific heat capacity.
3 Draw conclusions from given observations
