Investigating Specific Heat Capacity
Investigating Specific Heat Capacity is a free interactive simulation for GCSE Physics (Edexcel IGCSE 4PH1) in which students determine the specific heat capacity of water and aluminium by measuring the energy required to raise the temperature of a known mass. This is a required practical for Edexcel IGCSE 4PH1. No login required — includes a self-marking quiz.
Aim: To determine the specific heat capacity of water and aluminium by measuring the energy required to raise the temperature of a known mass.
00:00
Stopwatch
Power Supply
Results Table
| Time (s) | Temp (°C) | V (V) | I (A) | Energy supplied (J) | ✓/✗ |
|---|
Analysis
Calculate the specific heat capacity using your data. Enter your value (J/kg°C):
What is the percentage difference between your value and the accepted value? (Water = 4200 J/kg°C, Aluminium = 900 J/kg°C)
Suggest one reason why your calculated value may differ from the accepted value.
- Start on the Aluminium tab and note the block's mass on the digital balance.
- Set the voltage using the slider (e.g. 10 V), then switch on the Power Supply and press Start Stopwatch at the same moment.
- Every 60 seconds, read the thermometer and enter the time, temperature, voltage, and current into the results table. Use 2× Speed to collect data faster if you want.
- Once you have at least 5 rows of readings, switch off the power and stop the stopwatch.
- Calculate the energy supplied at each time using Energy = V × I × t, then use your temperature rise to calculate the specific heat capacity, c = E ÷ (m × ΔT).
- Enter your calculated specific heat capacity and percentage difference from the accepted value in the Analysis section, then check both answers.
- Click Water and repeat the whole procedure, then compare your two calculated values.
- Think: why might your calculated value differ from the accepted value? Consider where energy could be lost to the surroundings.