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PPhysicsS2 to S5Thermal physics
Specific heat capacity lab: heating and cooling
Why does the sand get hot at noon while the lake stays cool? Heat water, oil and aluminium with the same heater and find out which needs the most energy.
LevelS2 to S5 (and IGCSE, A Level)
TimeAbout 40 min
You useE = P t, E = m c ΔT, graphs
PriceFree: no account
🎯 Aim
To measure the specific heat capacity of water, oil and aluminium using an electric heater and a joulemeter, and to study the cooling curve.
You will learn to
- Calculate energy supplied with E = P t.
- Calculate specific heat capacity with c = E ÷ (m ΔT).
- Explain why heat loss makes the value too high.
- Describe a cooling curve.
🧭 What to do
- Choose Water, 0.5 kg and 50 W.
- Tap Switch on and start the clock. Watch the graph for 10 minutes.
- Tap Switch the heater off and watch the water cool.
- Read your c and compare it with the accepted value.
- Repeat with Cooking oil and the Aluminium block. Answer the questions.
- Write your conclusion and download your lab report.
📋 The data
Temperature of 0.50 kg of water heated by a 50 W heater for 10 minutes, then cooling.
🧠 Investigate: answer from the data
Type your answer and tap Check. Use 💡 Hint first; open the method only when you are stuck.
➕ Get more from this experiment
📝 Free
Print the worksheet (button above), download the data, and save your report. Teachers can project this page in class.
📦 Premium Lab Pack
1 000 RWF
- Practical worksheet for a real heating experiment
- Heating and cooling curve analysis
- Teacher guide and answer key
- Exam-style thermal physics questions with marking scheme
👩🏫 For teachers
Use it as a practical when apparatus is missing, as homework, or as a project. Free lesson plans help you plan, teach and assess.
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