Purpose: To use the formula q = mC(delta)T to experimentally estimate the temperature of a Bunsen Burner flame and the specific heat capacity of a metal.

Procedure:

Part I:  The Specific Heat Capacity of Copper:

1. Measure the mass of 5 pre-1983 pennies.  Place the pennies in a small beaker which is filled with approximately 100 mL of water.  Heat the water until it is boiling and record its temperature.  Continue heating the water until you are ready to use the pennies.

2. Measure out 50.0 mL of water into a Styrofoam cup.  Record the water's temperature.

3. Using beaker tongs, pour the water out of the beaker with the pennies (without losing the pennies) and then carefully slide the pennies into the Styrofoam cup with the water.  Record the highest temperature reached by this water.

4. Repeat steps 1-3 for two additional trials.
 

Part II: Temperature of a Bunsen Burner Flame:

1. Measure out 50.0 mL of water into a Styrofoam cup and record the water's temperature.

2. Measure and record the mass of 5 dry pennies (the pennies must be made prior to 1983).

3. Using a pair of tongs, hold the five pennies together over a Bunsen Burner flame until the pennies are glowing hot.  Carefully place the pennies into the water in the Styrofoam cup without letting them touch the cup.  After 10 seconds, you may release the pennies so that they fall to the bottom of the cup.

4. While stirring, measure and record the highest temperature reached by the water.

5. Repeat steps 1-4 for two additional trials.

Data:
 
 

Analysis:

Part I:

1. Using the formula q = mC(delta)T, determine the amount of heat gained by the water in the cup.

2. Using the same formula and the heat determined in step 1, determine the specific heat capacity of the copper pennies in J/g C.

3. Determine the average specific heat capacity of copper from your 3 trials.  Determine the percent error of your result by comparing to the value listed in your book.

Part II:

4. Using the formula q = mC(delta)T, determine the amount of heat gained by the water in the cup.

5. Using the same formula, the heat determined from step 4, and the specific heat of copper from step 3, determine the change in temperature of the copper pennies.

6. Knowing that the final temperature of the copper pennies was equal to the highest temperature reached by the water in the cup, determine the initial temperature of the pennies from your value of  T.  This is the temperature of your Bunsen Burner flame.  Determine the average temperature of this flame from your 3 trials.

Questions:

1. Explain why the value of heat gained by the water in the cup in step 1 was used in the subsequent calculation for determining the specific heat of copper in step 2.

2. Explain why the final temperature of the hot pennies in step 6 is the same as the highest temperature reached by the water in the cup.