Student Exploration: Calorimetry Lab

Student Exploration: Calorimetry Lab NCVPS Chemistry Fall 2014 Vocabulary: calorie, calorimeter, joule, specific heat capacity Prior Knowledge Questions (Do these BEFORE using the Gizmo.) 1. The Latin word calor means “heat,” and meter comes from the Greek word meaning “to measure.” What do you think a calorimeter does? ________________________________ _____Measure of heat used to do change the temperature of something. 2. Where have you heard the word calorie before? What do you think a calorie is? _________ ___Labeled on foods.______ Gizmo Warm-up A calorimeter is an insulated container filled with a liquid, usually water. When a hot object is placed in the calorimeter, heat energy is transferred from the object to the water and the water heats up. Calorimeters can be used to find a substance’s specific heat capacity. You will use the Calorimetry Lab Gizmo™ to determine the specific heat capacities of various substances. 1. On the SIMULATION pane, select Copper. Use the slider to set its Mass to 200 g. Set the Water mass to 200 g. Check that the Water temp is set to 30.0 °C and the copper’s Temp is 90 °C. Select the GRAPH tab, and click Play ( ). A. What was the Final temperature of the copper and the water? 38 B. How much did the temperature of the copper change? -52 C. How much did the temperature of the water change? 8 2. Specific heat capacity can be described as a substance’s resistance to temperature changes. Which substance has a greater specific heat capacity, copper or water? Explain.