Question

Describe a method to determine the specific heat capacity of a solid (say, a piece of copper).

Answer 1

First we weigh the given piece of solid and note its mass m₁. Then it is heated by suspending it inside a heater. Then a known mass (say m₂) of water is taken in a thin glass beaker and its temperature θ₁ is recorded with a thermometer. When the given piece of solid becomes heated, its temperature θ₂ is noted and it is quickly dropped into the water contained in the beaker, such that no water splashes out. The contents of beaker are well stirred and the final highest temperature θ₃ is noted.
Assuming that the heat capacity of beaker is negligible and there is not heat loss to the surroundings,
Heat lost by the solid = Heat gained by water Mass of solid × Specific heat capacity of solid × Fall in temperature of solid = Mass of water × Sp. capacity of water × Rise in temperature of water.

or m₁ × c × (θ₂ - θ₃) = m₃ × 4.2 × (θ₃ - θ₁) 

or c = `("m"_2 xx 4.2 xx (theta_3 - theta_1))/(theta_1 xx (theta_2 - theta_3))` J/g°C

Here we have assumed that specific heat capacity of water is 4.2 J/g°C.