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A student measures the following data in a calorimetry experiment designed to de

ID: 1527003 • Letter: A

Question

A student measures the following data in a calorimetry experiment designed to determine the specific heat of aluminum. Initial temperature of water and calorimeter - 70 degree C; Mass of water - 0.5 kg; Mass of calorimeter 0.04kg; Specific heat of calorimeter - 0.63 kJ/kg- degree C; Initial temperature of aluminum - 27.0 degree C; Mass of aluminum 0.23kg; Pinal temperature of mixture - 66.2 degree C. Compare your result with the standard value of 900 kJ/kg- degree C. What is the percent error of your result? From your experience where is the "mistake", and why?

Explanation / Answer

a)

using conservation of energy

Heat lost by water + calorimeter = Heat gained by aluminium

mw cw (70 - 60.2) + mc cc (70 - 60.2) = ma ca (60.2 - 27)

(0.5) (4186) (70 - 66.2) + (0.04) (630) (70 - 66.2) = (0.23) ca (66.2 - 27)

ca = 892.8

b)

%age error = change x 100/original = (900 - 892.8) x 100/900 = 0.8%