Lab 16: Specific Heat of a Metal

   In the Specific Heat of a Metal Lab, we uncovered the identity of an unknown metal by determining the specific heat of the metal. First, we heated a beaker filled with water to 90°C with the unknown metal inside. Then we inserted the metal into a container of 22°C water. After a couple of minutes, the water's temperature increased to 26°C. We used the heat gained by the 22°C water to determine the specific heat of the unknown metal.


Calculations

Heat Gained By Water
Specific Heat of Unknown Metal

Unknown Metal Specific Heat 323 J            Brass Specific Heat - 380
Unknown Metal = Brass

Percent Error - 14.8% 
Sources of error could have came from heat escaping the hole that the thermometer punched through the styrofoam cup container and the heat lost from taking out and placing the unknown metal into the new container of water.



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