Calorimetry Lab – Data Collection and Processing
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Calorimetry LabData Collection and ProcessingThe purpose of this lab is to determine the identity of an unknown metal using an experimentally-derived specific heat.Trial 1Trial 2Mass of Metal49.239 ± .001g40.872 ± .001gMass of Water24.440 ± .001g24.191± .001gInitial Temp of Hot Metal102 ± .5oC102 ± .5oCInitial Temp of Water22 ± .5oC23 ± .5oCTemp of Mixture34 ± .5oC34 ± .5oCTemp Change of Metal68 ± .5oC68 ± .5oCTemp Change of Water12 ± .5oC11 ± .5oC To calculate the heat energy gained by the water, use q=mcΔT.
Trial 1: (24.440 ± .001g)(4.184 J/goC)(12 ± .5oC)=1227 ± 51JTrial 2: (24.191± .001g)(4.184 J/goC)(11 ± .5oC)=1113 ± 51JTo calculate the specific heat of the metal, set q of the water equal to mcΔT of the metal.Trial 1: 1227 ± 51J= (49.239 ± .001g)(c=specific heat)(68 ± .5oC)                c=.366 ± .018 J/goCTrial 2: 1113 ± 51J= (40.872 ± .001g)(c=specific heat)(68 ± .5oC)                c=.401 ± .021 J/goCThe average specific heat is: .384 ± .020 J/goCOn the chart of specific heats given to us, the closest value was that of copper, .385 J/goC. The percent error is therefore: .385 J/goC – .384 ± .020 J/goC.385 J/goC= .260 ± .014 %Conclusion and Evaluation        From the experimental data and calculations, the specific heat of .384 ± .020 J/goC led us to believe the identity of the unknown metal was copper. The percent error was very low, a mere .260 ± .014 %. However, this was only achieved after the averaging of the data from two trials. To achieve better accuracy and precision of the experiments, many methods can be taken to avoid unnecessary discrepancies. Firstly, our calorimeter was just two Styrofoam cups stacked upon each other. This leaves a lot of room for error because much heat can be lost to both the surrounding and the calorimeter itself, yielding inaccurate results. A more technologically advanced calorimeter can limit the amount of energy loss. Additionally, temperature readings can be improved by using more accurate thermometers, as we only had normal glass thermometers. The class period was only 1 hour, unlike the AP’s class of an hour and a half. If we had more time, we could’ve performed more trials and decreased the effect of random error in our experiments.