how do i find the specific heat of a metal??
You can look them up in a chart. Try going to engineeringtoolbox website. They have a very useful chart of the specific heat of metals
Heat a known mass of a metal to a known temperature (say, for example, 10.00 g at 78.5 deg C)
Add the metal to a known mass of water at a known temperature (say 75.00 g at 25.0 deg C) in a calorimeter.
Let the metal and the water come to an equilibrium temperature, Tf. (The metal cools from 78.5 to Tf; the water warms from 25.0 to Tf.)
The heat lost by the metal equals the heat gained by the water (assuming the calorimeter absorbs none of the heat).
the specific heat can be given as the calories per gram of material per degree change. The heat loss of the metal is -
Heat Lost = specific heat x 10.00 g x (78.5 - Tf)
The specific heat of water is known to be 1.00 cal/g deg.
Heat Gained = 1.00 x 75.00 g x (Tf - 25.0)
Since the Heat Lost = the Heat Gained, and the final temperature, Tf, can be measured, the only unknown is the specific heat of the metal.
Assume Tf = 28.00 deg
specific heat x 10.00 x 50.5 = 1.00 x 75.00 x 3.00
specific heat = 0.445 cal/g deg
To find the specific heat of a metal, you can follow these steps:
1. Gather the necessary materials: You will need a sample of the metal you want to test, a calorimeter (a container used for measuring heat), a thermometer, and a heat source (such as a Bunsen burner or an electric heater).
2. Measure the mass of the metal sample: Use a balance to measure the mass of the metal sample. Record this mass in grams (g).
3. Heat the metal sample: Place the metal sample on a heat source and allow it to reach a high temperature. Ensure that the entire sample is uniformly heated.
4. Prepare the calorimeter: Fill the calorimeter with a known quantity of water. Measure and record the mass of the water in grams (g).
5. Measure the initial temperature: Use a thermometer to measure and record the initial temperature of the water in the calorimeter.
6. Transfer the metal sample to the calorimeter: Carefully transfer the heated metal sample into the water in the calorimeter. Stir the mixture gently to ensure uniform heat transfer.
7. Measure the final temperature: Observe and record the final temperature of the water in the calorimeter after the metal sample has been added.
8. Calculate the heat gained by the water: Use the equation Q = mcΔT, where Q is the heat gained (in joules), m is the mass of the water (in grams), c is the specific heat capacity of water (4.18 J/(g°C)), and ΔT is the change in temperature (final temperature minus initial temperature).
9. Calculate the specific heat of the metal: Use the equation Q = mcΔT again, but this time solve for c (the specific heat of the metal). Rearrange the equation to get c = Q / (mΔT), where c is the specific heat of the metal (in J/(g°C)), Q is the heat gained by the water (in joules), m is the mass of the metal sample (in grams), and ΔT is the change in temperature (final temperature minus initial temperature).
By following these steps and performing the necessary calculations, you will be able to find the specific heat of the metal you are testing.