Which calorimeter do you use for determining the specific heat of the metal, the thermos or the Styrofoam cup?

To determine the specific heat of a metal, you would typically use a calorimeter. There are two common types of calorimeters that can be used: a thermos and a Styrofoam cup.

1. Thermos: A thermos is a double-walled container with a vacuum in between the walls. This design helps to reduce heat transfer to the surroundings, making it an effective choice for calorimetry. To use a thermos as a calorimeter, you would first add a known mass of water to the thermos. Then, you would heat a sample of the metal to a known temperature and quickly transfer it into the water in the thermos. By measuring the temperature change of the water, you can calculate the specific heat of the metal.

2. Styrofoam Cup: A Styrofoam cup is a simpler and more readily available option for a calorimeter. Styrofoam is an insulator, which means it helps to minimize heat exchange with the environment. To use a Styrofoam cup as a calorimeter, you would fill the cup with a known mass of water and measure its initial temperature. Then, you would heat a sample of the metal to a known temperature and quickly transfer it into the water in the Styrofoam cup. Again, by measuring the temperature change of the water, you can calculate the specific heat of the metal.

Both the thermos and the Styrofoam cup can be used effectively, but the thermos is generally preferred because it provides better insulation and reduces heat loss to the surroundings more effectively. However, if a thermos is not available, a Styrofoam cup can still give reasonably accurate results.

I don't know the details of the experimental set up.