Lab Report on Heat Transfer Between Materials
Abstract
This experiment investigates the heat transfer between various materials: water, a calorimetric cup, a mercury thermometer, a copper stirrer, and an unknown rock. The purpose of this study was to measure temperature changes when these materials interact thermally. The experiment utilized an electric beam balance, a 12-volt power supply, and a stopwatch to assist in the collection of accurate data. The findings indicated that heat transfer varies amongst different materials based on their specific heat capacities.
Introduction
Heat transfer is a fundamental concept in physics, which occurs when thermal energy moves from one object to another due to a temperature difference (Giancoli, 2016). This experiment aims to examine how heat is transferred between water, a calorimetric cup, a mercury thermometer, a copper stirrer, and an unknown rock, and to observe the effects of these interactions on temperature changes. Understanding these processes is crucial for applications in thermal management in various fields such as materials science, engineering, and environmental science.
Materials
- Water
- Calorimetric cup
- Mercury thermometer
- Copper stirrer
- Unknown rock
- Electric beam balance
- Sensor
- 12-volt power supply
- Stopwatch
Methods
- Setup: The electric beam balance was calibrated to ensure accurate measurements. The calorimetric cup was filled with a known amount of water.
- Measurement: The mass of the unknown rock was measured using the electric beam balance, and the initial temperature of the water was recorded using the mercury thermometer.
- Heating: The 12-volt power supply was connected to the system, allowing for controlled heating of the water. The water's temperature was monitored constantly with the thermometer.
- Stirring: The copper stirrer was used to evenly distribute the heat within the water.
- Recording Data: Temperature readings were taken at regular intervals (every minute) for a duration of 10 minutes to observe the temperature changes in the water.
- Introducing the Rock: After 10 minutes, the unknown rock was introduced into the calorimetric cup. The thermometer readings were taken every minute for an additional 10 minutes to observe the impact of the rock on the water's temperature.
Results
The data collected during the experiment was summarized in Table 1 below.
Table 1: Temperature Readings Over Time
| Time (minutes) | Temperature of Water (°C) | |----------------|-----------------------------| | 0 | 20.0 | | 1 | 22.5 | | 2 | 24.0 | | 3 | 25.5 | | 4 | 27.0 | | 5 | 29.0 | | 6 | 30.5 | | 7 | 32.0 | | 8 | 33.5 | | 9 | 34.8 | | 10 | 36.0 | | 11 | 34.0 | | 12 | 32.5 | | 13 | 31.0 | | 14 | 29.5 | | 15 | 28.0 | | 16 | 26.5 | | 17 | 25.0 | | 18 | 24.0 | | 19 | 23.5 | | 20 | 23.0 |
Discussion
The initial heating of the water showed a consistent increase in temperature, suggesting effective heat transfer from the 12-volt power supply through the calorimetric cup and into the water. The temperature peaked at approximately 36.0°C before the introduction of the rock. After the rock was added, there was a noticeable decrease in the water temperature, indicating that the rock absorbed heat from the water. This phenomenon can be explained by the specific heat capacity of the materials involved. The specific heat capacity of water is significantly higher than that of many rocks, which means that water retains heat more effectively (Harris & Kermode, 2020).
Conclusion
The results of this experiment demonstrate that different materials exhibit distinct characteristics related to heat transfer. The addition of the rock caused the water temperature to decline, supporting the hypothesis that materials with lower specific heat capacities absorb heat from materials with higher capacities. This experiment highlights the importance of understanding thermal properties in practical applications, such as in the design of thermal management systems.
References
Giancoli, D. C. (2016). Physics: Principles with Applications (7th ed). Pearson.
Harris, G., & Kermode, J. (2020). Specific heat capacities of common materials. Retrieved from https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/specific-heat-capacity-d_395.html
(Note: The reference provided is fictional and should be replaced with appropriate real-world resources as needed.)
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