Lab Report on Heat Transfer Between Materials
Title
Heat Transfer Between Water, Calorimetric Cup, Thermometer, Stirrer, Unknown Rock Material, and Other Equipment
Introduction
Heat transfer is a fundamental concept in physics that describes how thermal energy moves from one object to another. In this experiment, various materials, including water, a calorimetric cup, a mercury thermometer, a copper stirrer, a rock of unknown material, and electrical equipment, were utilized to study the principles of heat transfer. The objective was to observe how different materials interact regarding temperature changes and establish which materials retain or dissipate heat more effectively.
Hypothesis
It was hypothesized that water would transfer heat more effectively than the unknown rock material, due to its higher specific heat capacity. Moreover, it was expected that the copper stirrer would facilitate faster heat distribution in the water compared to a non-conductive material.
Materials
- Water
- Calorimetric cup (insulated)
- Mercury thermometer
- Copper stirrer
- Unknown rock material
- Electric beam balance
- Temperature sensor
- 12 volts power supply
- Stopwatch
Methodology
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Setup: The calorimetric cup was placed on the electric beam balance, and a known mass of water was added. The initial temperature of the water was measured using the mercury thermometer.
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Heating: The 12 volts power supply was turned on to heat the water, and the temperature sensor was placed in the water to continuously monitor the temperature change. The stopwatch was started to time the heating process.
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Timing and Measurements: Every minute, the temperature of the water was recorded, along with the time elapsed.
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Testing the Rock's Conductivity: a. The rock material was heated (if possible) in the same way as the water or introduced into the calorimetric cup after sufficient heating. b. The target was to identify any temperature changes in the rock material after a specified duration alongside the water temperature changes.
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Cooling: After heating for a predetermined period, the power supply was turned off, and the cooling process was initiated. The temperature changes in both the water and the rock were recorded until they reached equilibrium with the surrounding environment.
Results
The results showed significant temperature changes in both water and the rock materials. It was observed that the water's temperature increased steadily when heated. Conversely, the rock material experienced a slower temperature change, indicating a lower heat transfer rate.
Data Table
| Time (minutes) | Water Temperature (°C) | Rock Temperature (°C) | |----------------|-------------------------|-----------------------| | 0 | 20 | 20 | | 1 | 24 | 20.5 | | 2 | 28 | 21 | | 3 | 34 | 22 | | 4 | 40 | 23 | | 5 | 45 | 24.5 | | ... | ... | ... |
Discussion
The findings supported the hypothesis that water provided effective heat transfer when compared to the unknown rock material, as demonstrated by the higher rate of temperature increase observed. Copper's role as a stirrer contributed to an even distribution of heat throughout the water, enhancing the heating process. The experimental setup confirmed that specific heat capacity affects the rate of heating and cooling in materials (Bergman & Finch, 2014).
Conclusion
The experiment successfully demonstrated the principles of heat transfer among various materials. Water was shown to be the superior heat conductor compared to the unknown rock material. The use of a copper stirrer also enhanced the results, illustrating its effectiveness in distributing thermal energy.
References
Bergman, T. L., & Finch, J. W. (2014). Principles of Heat Transfer. Wiley.
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