6.2.2

Thermal Energy Transfer Experiments

Test yourself on Thermal Energy Transfer Experiments

Test your knowledge with free interactive questions on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

Heat Capacity Experiment

Two ways in which heat transfer changes materials are by changing the temperature of an object and by changing the state of an object.

Equipment

Equipment

This diagram shows the simple electrical heater method of finding the specific heat capacity, c, of a material.

Equipment 2

Equipment 2

Make sure that the heater is fully submerged into the material and that you check the mass of the block, m, with a balance.
There should be an ammeter and a voltmeter in the electrical circuit to make sure that the current and p.d. for the heater do not change.
The thermometer measures the initial temperature, T₁, of the material and the temperature after every minute.

Method

Method

If you record the temperature at the start and after every minute, you can plot a temperature-time graph.
The graph will be shallow at first because it takes time for the block to heat the thermometer.
Once the graph has got to its steepest, you can draw the tangent to the curve.

Result

Result

The input power of the heater, IV, must equal mc × gradient.
So the specific heat capacity can be found by c = IV/mass × (temperature-time graph gradient).
This result ignores the effect of the apparatus heating the rest of the room. It also ignores the fact that the heating effect is not constant throughout the experiment.

Method of Continuous Flow

A much more accurate way of finding the specific heat capacity of a fluid is the method of continuous flow.

Apparatus

Apparatus

By using apparatus as shown in the diagram, you can measure the temperature at the left hand thermometer, T_a, and at the right hand thermometer, T_b.
When the electrical heater is switched on, T_b increases until thermal equilibrium is reached.

Equation

Equation

At this point, the heat energy supplied by the heater per unit time is equal to the sum of the internal energy gained by the water plus the heat energy lost by the water to the surroundings.
- V₁ I₁ = m₁ c_water (T_b - T_a) + H
- Where m₁ is the mass of water passing through the apparatus per unit time.

Second equation

Second equation

If the flow rate is changed and the electrical heater parameters changed so that the start and finish temperatures remain constant, then we get a second equation:
- V₂ I₂ = m₂ c_water (T_b - T_a) + H.
As the temperature profile of the apparatus is the same on both occasions, the heat energy supplied to the surroundings, H will be the same.

Combination

Combination

This means that equation 1 and equation 2 can be combined to give an expression for c_water
- V₂ I₂ - V₁ I₁ = (m₂ - m₁) c_water (T_b - T_a)
So c_water = (V₂ I₂ - V₁ I₁)/(m₂ - m₁)(T_b - T_a)
The advantage of this method over the ‘heater in a beaker’ method is that the heat loss to the surroundings can be factored out. This means you can get a value closer to the true value.

Types of latent heat

Types of latent heat

Most materials have two specific latent heats.
- Specific latent heat of melting (or fusion) for the solid to liquid phase transition.
- Specific latent heat of vapourisation for the liquid to gas phase transition.
In either case, the amount of heat supplied, $\Delta E = l \times \Delta m$ , where l is the specific latent heat and Δm is the mass of the material that changes phase.

1

Measurements & Errors

1.1

Measurements & Errors

1.1.1SI Base Units 1.1.2Combining SI Units 1.1.3Prefixes of Units 1.1.4Standard Form 1.1.5Converting Units 1.1.6End of Topic Test - Units & Prefixes 1.1.7Limitation of Physical Measurements 1.1.8Uncertainty 1.1.9Estimation 1.1.10End of Topic Test - Measurements & Errors 1.1.11Diagnostic Misconceptions - Converting between SI 1.1.12Diagnostic Misconceptions - SI & Area/Volume

2

Particles & Radiation

2.1

Particles

2.1.1Atomic Model 2.1.2Specific Charge, Protons & Neutron Numbers 2.1.3End of Topic Test - Atomic Model 2.1.4Isotopes 2.1.5Stable & Unstable Nuclei 2.1.6End of Topic Test - Isotopes & Nuclei 2.1.7A-A* (AO3/4) - Stable & Unstable Nuclei 2.1.8Particles, Antiparticles & Photons 2.1.9Particle Interactions 2.1.10Classification of Particles 2.1.11End of Topic Test - Particles & Interactions 2.1.12Quarks & Antiquarks 2.1.13Application of Conservation Laws 2.1.14End of Topic Test - Leptons & Quarks 2.1.15Exam-Style Question - Radioactive Decay

2.2

Electromagnetic Radiation & Quantum Phenomena

2.2.1The Photoelectric Effect 2.2.2The Photoelectric Effect Explanation 2.2.3End of Topic Test - The Photoelectric Effect 2.2.4Collisions of Electrons with Atoms 2.2.5Energy Levels & Photon Emission 2.2.6Wave-Particle Duality 2.2.7End of Topic Test - Absorption & Emission 2.2.8Diagnostic Misconceptions - Electron Volts 2.2.9Diagnostic Misconceptions - Converting eV & Joules

3

Waves

3.1

Progressive & Stationary Waves

3.1.1Progressive Waves 3.1.2Wave Speed & Phase Difference 3.1.3Longitudinal & Transverse Waves 3.1.4End of Topic Test - Progressive Waves 3.1.5Polarisation 3.1.6Stationary Waves 3.1.7Stationary Waves 2 3.1.8End of Topic Test - Polarisation & Stationary Wave 3.1.9A-A* (AO3/4) - Stationary Waves

3.2

Refraction, Diffraction & Interference

3.2.1Interference 3.2.2Interference 2 3.2.3End of Topic Test - Interference 3.2.4Diffraction 3.2.5Diffraction Gratings 3.2.6End of Topic Test - Diffraction 3.2.7Refraction at a Plane Surface 3.2.8Internal Reflection & Fibre Optics 3.2.9End of Topic Test - Refraction 3.2.10Exam-Style Question - Waves

4

Mechanics & Materials

4.1

Force, Energy & Momentum

4.1.1Scalars & Vectors 4.1.2Vector Problems 4.1.3End of Topic Test - Scalars & Vectors 4.1.4Moments 4.1.5Centre of Mass 4.1.6End of Topic Test - Moments & Centre of Mass 4.1.7Motion in a Straight Line 4.1.8Graphs of Motion 4.1.9Bouncing Ball Example 4.1.10End of Topic Test - Motion in a Straight Line 4.1.11Acceleration Due to Gravity 4.1.12Projectile Motion 4.1.13Friction 4.1.14Terminal Speed 4.1.15End of Topic Test - Acceleration Due to Gravity 4.1.16Newton's Laws 4.1.17Momentum 4.1.18Momentum 2 4.1.19End of Topic Test - Newton's Laws & Momentum 4.1.20A-A* (AO3/4) - Newton's Third Law 4.1.21Work & Energy 4.1.22Power & Efficiency 4.1.23Conservation of Energy 4.1.24End of Topic Test - Work, Energy & Power 4.1.25Exam-Style Question - Forces 4.1.26Diagnostic Misconceptions - Perpendicular Vectors 4.1.27Diagnostic Misconceptions - Weight Acts Downwards 4.1.28Diagnostic Misconceptions - Acceleration Direction 4.1.29Diagnostic Misconceptions - Stationary Objects 4.1.30Diagnostic Misconceptions - Action & Reaction 4.1.31Diagnostic Misconceptions - RF Direction 4.1.32Diagnostic Misconceptions - RF Acceleration 4.1.33Diagnostic Misconceptions - Change in Momentum

4.2

Materials

4.2.1Density 4.2.2Bulk Properties of Solids 4.2.3Energy in Materials 4.2.4Young Modulus 4.2.5End of Topic Test - Materials

5

Electricity

5.1

Current Electricity

5.1.1Basics of Electricity 5.1.2Current-Voltage Characteristics 5.1.3End of Topic Test - Basics of Electricity 5.1.4Resistivity 5.1.5Superconductivity 5.1.6A-A* (AO3/4) - Superconductivity 5.1.7End of Topic Test - Resistivity & Superconductors 5.1.8Circuits 5.1.9Power and Conservation 5.1.10Potential Divider 5.1.11Emf & Internal Resistance 5.1.12End of Topic Test - Power & Potential 5.1.13Exam-Style Question - Resistance 5.1.14Diagnostic Misconceptions - Constant Current 5.1.15Diagnostic Misconceptions - Potential Difference

6

Further Mechanics & Thermal Physics (A2 only)

7

Fields & Their Consequences (A2 only)

7.1

Fields (A2 only)

7.2

Gravitational Fields (A2 only)

7.2.1Newton's Law 7.2.2Gravitational Field Strength 7.2.3Gravitational Potential 7.2.4Orbits of Planets & Satellites 7.2.5Escape Velocity & Synchronous Orbits 7.2.6End of Topic Test - Gravitational Fields

7.3

Electric Fields (A2 only)

7.3.1Coulomb's Law 7.3.2Electric Field Strength 7.3.3Electric Field Strength 2 7.3.4Electric Potential 7.3.5End of Topic Test - Electric Fields 7.3.6A-A* (AO3/4) - Electric and Gravitational Field

7.4

Capacitance (A2 only)

7.4.1Capacitance 7.4.2Parallel Plate Capacitor 7.4.3Energy Stored by a Capacitor 7.4.4Capacitor Discharge 7.4.5Capacitor Charge

7.5

Magnetic Fields (A2 only)

7.5.1Magnetic Flux Density 7.5.2End of Topic Test - Capacitance & Flux Density 7.5.3Moving Charges in a Magnetic Field 7.5.4Magnetic Flux & Flux Linkage 7.5.5Electromagnetic Induction 7.5.6Electromagnetic Induction 2 7.5.7Alternating Currents 7.5.8Operation of a Transformer 7.5.9Magnetic Flux Density 7.5.10End of Topic Test - Electromagnetic Induction

8

Nuclear Physics (A2 only)

8.1

Radioactivity (A2 only)

8.1.1Rutherford Scattering 8.1.2Alpha & Beta Radiation 8.1.3Gamma Radiation 8.1.4Radioactive Decay 8.1.5Half Life 8.1.6End of Topic Test - Radioactivity 8.1.7Nuclear Instability 8.1.8Nuclear Radius 8.1.9Mass & Energy 8.1.10Binding Energy 8.1.11Induced Fission 8.1.12Safety Aspects of Nuclear Reactors 8.1.13End of Topic Test - Nuclear Physics 8.1.14A-A* (AO3/4) - Nuclear Fusion

9

Option: Astrophysics (A2 only)

9.1

Telescopes (A2 only)

9.1.1Astronomical Telescopes 9.1.2Reflecting Telescopes 9.1.3Single Dish Radio Telescopes 9.1.4Large Diameter Telescopes

9.2

Classification of Stars (A2 only)

9.2.1Classification by Luminosity 9.2.2Absolute Magnitude 9.2.3Black Body Radiation 9.2.4Stellar Spectral Classes 9.2.5Hertzsprung-Russell Diagrams 9.2.6Astronomical Objects

9.3

Cosmology (A2 only)

9.3.1Doppler Effect 9.3.2Hubble's Law 9.3.3Quasars 9.3.4Detecting Exoplanets

10

Option: Medical Physics (A2 only)

10.1

Physics of the Eye (A2 only)

10.1.1Physics of Vision 10.1.2Defects of Vision 10.1.3Lenses 10.1.4Correcting Defects of Vision

10.2

Physics of the Ear (A2 only)

10.2.1Structure of the Ear 10.2.2Sensitivity of the Ear 10.2.3Hearing Defects

10.3

Biological Measurement (A2 only)

10.3.1Electrocardiography (ECG)

10.4

Non-Ionising Imaging (A2 only)

10.4.1Ultrasound Imaging 10.4.2Ultrasound Imaging 2 10.4.3Fibre Optics & Endoscopy 10.4.4Magnetic Resonance Scanning

10.5

X-Ray Imaging (A2 only)

10.5.1Diagnostic X-Rays 10.5.2X-Ray Image Processing 10.5.3Absorption of X-Rays 10.5.4CT Scanners

10.6

Radionuclide Imaging & Therapy (A2 only)

10.6.1Imaging Techniques 10.6.2Half Life 10.6.3Gamma Camera 10.6.4High Energy X-Rays 10.6.5Radioactive Implants 10.6.6Imaging Comparisons

11

Option: Engineering Physics (A2 only)

11.1

Rotational Dynamics (A2 only)

11.1.1Moment of Inertia 11.1.2Rotational Kinetic Energy 11.1.3Rotational Motion 11.1.4Torque & Angular Acceleration 11.1.5Angular Momentum 11.1.6Angular Work & Power

11.2

Thermodynamics & Engines (A2 only)

11.2.1First Law of Thermodynamics 11.2.2Non-Flow Processes 11.2.3p-V Diagrams 11.2.4Engine Cycles 11.2.5Second Law & Engines 11.2.6Reversed Heat Engines

12

Option: Turning Points in Physics (A2 only)

12.1

Discovery of the Electron (A2 only)

12.1.1Cathode Rays 12.1.2Thermionic Electron Emission 12.1.3Electron Specific Charge 12.1.4Millikan's Experiment

12.2

Wave-Particle Duality (A2 only)

12.2.1Newton's & Huygen's Theories of Light 12.2.2Electromagnetic Waves 12.2.3Photoelectricity 12.2.4Wave-Particle Duality 12.2.5Electron Microscopes

12.3

Special Relativity (A2 only)

12.3.1Michelson-Morley Experiment 12.3.2Einstein's Theory of Special Relativity 12.3.3Time Dilation 12.3.4Length Contraction 12.3.5Mass & Energy

Jump to other topics

1

Measurements & Errors

1.1

Measurements & Errors

1.1.1SI Base Units 1.1.2Combining SI Units 1.1.3Prefixes of Units 1.1.4Standard Form 1.1.5Converting Units 1.1.6End of Topic Test - Units & Prefixes 1.1.7Limitation of Physical Measurements 1.1.8Uncertainty 1.1.9Estimation 1.1.10End of Topic Test - Measurements & Errors 1.1.11Diagnostic Misconceptions - Converting between SI 1.1.12Diagnostic Misconceptions - SI & Area/Volume

2

Particles & Radiation

2.1

Particles

2.1.1Atomic Model 2.1.2Specific Charge, Protons & Neutron Numbers 2.1.3End of Topic Test - Atomic Model 2.1.4Isotopes 2.1.5Stable & Unstable Nuclei 2.1.6End of Topic Test - Isotopes & Nuclei 2.1.7A-A* (AO3/4) - Stable & Unstable Nuclei 2.1.8Particles, Antiparticles & Photons 2.1.9Particle Interactions 2.1.10Classification of Particles 2.1.11End of Topic Test - Particles & Interactions 2.1.12Quarks & Antiquarks 2.1.13Application of Conservation Laws 2.1.14End of Topic Test - Leptons & Quarks 2.1.15Exam-Style Question - Radioactive Decay

2.2

Electromagnetic Radiation & Quantum Phenomena

2.2.1The Photoelectric Effect 2.2.2The Photoelectric Effect Explanation 2.2.3End of Topic Test - The Photoelectric Effect 2.2.4Collisions of Electrons with Atoms 2.2.5Energy Levels & Photon Emission 2.2.6Wave-Particle Duality 2.2.7End of Topic Test - Absorption & Emission 2.2.8Diagnostic Misconceptions - Electron Volts 2.2.9Diagnostic Misconceptions - Converting eV & Joules

3

Waves

3.1

Progressive & Stationary Waves

3.1.1Progressive Waves 3.1.2Wave Speed & Phase Difference 3.1.3Longitudinal & Transverse Waves 3.1.4End of Topic Test - Progressive Waves 3.1.5Polarisation 3.1.6Stationary Waves 3.1.7Stationary Waves 2 3.1.8End of Topic Test - Polarisation & Stationary Wave 3.1.9A-A* (AO3/4) - Stationary Waves

3.2

Refraction, Diffraction & Interference

3.2.1Interference 3.2.2Interference 2 3.2.3End of Topic Test - Interference 3.2.4Diffraction 3.2.5Diffraction Gratings 3.2.6End of Topic Test - Diffraction 3.2.7Refraction at a Plane Surface 3.2.8Internal Reflection & Fibre Optics 3.2.9End of Topic Test - Refraction 3.2.10Exam-Style Question - Waves

4

Mechanics & Materials

4.1

Force, Energy & Momentum

4.1.1Scalars & Vectors 4.1.2Vector Problems 4.1.3End of Topic Test - Scalars & Vectors 4.1.4Moments 4.1.5Centre of Mass 4.1.6End of Topic Test - Moments & Centre of Mass 4.1.7Motion in a Straight Line 4.1.8Graphs of Motion 4.1.9Bouncing Ball Example 4.1.10End of Topic Test - Motion in a Straight Line 4.1.11Acceleration Due to Gravity 4.1.12Projectile Motion 4.1.13Friction 4.1.14Terminal Speed 4.1.15End of Topic Test - Acceleration Due to Gravity 4.1.16Newton's Laws 4.1.17Momentum 4.1.18Momentum 2 4.1.19End of Topic Test - Newton's Laws & Momentum 4.1.20A-A* (AO3/4) - Newton's Third Law 4.1.21Work & Energy 4.1.22Power & Efficiency 4.1.23Conservation of Energy 4.1.24End of Topic Test - Work, Energy & Power 4.1.25Exam-Style Question - Forces 4.1.26Diagnostic Misconceptions - Perpendicular Vectors 4.1.27Diagnostic Misconceptions - Weight Acts Downwards 4.1.28Diagnostic Misconceptions - Acceleration Direction 4.1.29Diagnostic Misconceptions - Stationary Objects 4.1.30Diagnostic Misconceptions - Action & Reaction 4.1.31Diagnostic Misconceptions - RF Direction 4.1.32Diagnostic Misconceptions - RF Acceleration 4.1.33Diagnostic Misconceptions - Change in Momentum

4.2

Materials

4.2.1Density 4.2.2Bulk Properties of Solids 4.2.3Energy in Materials 4.2.4Young Modulus 4.2.5End of Topic Test - Materials

5

Electricity

5.1

Current Electricity

5.1.1Basics of Electricity 5.1.2Current-Voltage Characteristics 5.1.3End of Topic Test - Basics of Electricity 5.1.4Resistivity 5.1.5Superconductivity 5.1.6A-A* (AO3/4) - Superconductivity 5.1.7End of Topic Test - Resistivity & Superconductors 5.1.8Circuits 5.1.9Power and Conservation 5.1.10Potential Divider 5.1.11Emf & Internal Resistance 5.1.12End of Topic Test - Power & Potential 5.1.13Exam-Style Question - Resistance 5.1.14Diagnostic Misconceptions - Constant Current 5.1.15Diagnostic Misconceptions - Potential Difference

6

Further Mechanics & Thermal Physics (A2 only)

7

Fields & Their Consequences (A2 only)

7.1

Fields (A2 only)

7.2

Gravitational Fields (A2 only)

7.2.1Newton's Law 7.2.2Gravitational Field Strength 7.2.3Gravitational Potential 7.2.4Orbits of Planets & Satellites 7.2.5Escape Velocity & Synchronous Orbits 7.2.6End of Topic Test - Gravitational Fields

7.3

Electric Fields (A2 only)

7.3.1Coulomb's Law 7.3.2Electric Field Strength 7.3.3Electric Field Strength 2 7.3.4Electric Potential 7.3.5End of Topic Test - Electric Fields 7.3.6A-A* (AO3/4) - Electric and Gravitational Field

7.4

Capacitance (A2 only)

7.4.1Capacitance 7.4.2Parallel Plate Capacitor 7.4.3Energy Stored by a Capacitor 7.4.4Capacitor Discharge 7.4.5Capacitor Charge

7.5

Magnetic Fields (A2 only)

7.5.1Magnetic Flux Density 7.5.2End of Topic Test - Capacitance & Flux Density 7.5.3Moving Charges in a Magnetic Field 7.5.4Magnetic Flux & Flux Linkage 7.5.5Electromagnetic Induction 7.5.6Electromagnetic Induction 2 7.5.7Alternating Currents 7.5.8Operation of a Transformer 7.5.9Magnetic Flux Density 7.5.10End of Topic Test - Electromagnetic Induction

8

Nuclear Physics (A2 only)

8.1

Radioactivity (A2 only)

8.1.1Rutherford Scattering 8.1.2Alpha & Beta Radiation 8.1.3Gamma Radiation 8.1.4Radioactive Decay 8.1.5Half Life 8.1.6End of Topic Test - Radioactivity 8.1.7Nuclear Instability 8.1.8Nuclear Radius 8.1.9Mass & Energy 8.1.10Binding Energy 8.1.11Induced Fission 8.1.12Safety Aspects of Nuclear Reactors 8.1.13End of Topic Test - Nuclear Physics 8.1.14A-A* (AO3/4) - Nuclear Fusion

9

Option: Astrophysics (A2 only)

9.1

Telescopes (A2 only)

9.1.1Astronomical Telescopes 9.1.2Reflecting Telescopes 9.1.3Single Dish Radio Telescopes 9.1.4Large Diameter Telescopes

9.2

Classification of Stars (A2 only)

9.2.1Classification by Luminosity 9.2.2Absolute Magnitude 9.2.3Black Body Radiation 9.2.4Stellar Spectral Classes 9.2.5Hertzsprung-Russell Diagrams 9.2.6Astronomical Objects

9.3

Cosmology (A2 only)

9.3.1Doppler Effect 9.3.2Hubble's Law 9.3.3Quasars 9.3.4Detecting Exoplanets

10

Option: Medical Physics (A2 only)

10.1

Physics of the Eye (A2 only)

10.1.1Physics of Vision 10.1.2Defects of Vision 10.1.3Lenses 10.1.4Correcting Defects of Vision

10.2

Physics of the Ear (A2 only)

10.2.1Structure of the Ear 10.2.2Sensitivity of the Ear 10.2.3Hearing Defects

10.3

Biological Measurement (A2 only)

10.3.1Electrocardiography (ECG)

10.4

Non-Ionising Imaging (A2 only)

10.4.1Ultrasound Imaging 10.4.2Ultrasound Imaging 2 10.4.3Fibre Optics & Endoscopy 10.4.4Magnetic Resonance Scanning

10.5

X-Ray Imaging (A2 only)

10.5.1Diagnostic X-Rays 10.5.2X-Ray Image Processing 10.5.3Absorption of X-Rays 10.5.4CT Scanners

10.6

Radionuclide Imaging & Therapy (A2 only)

10.6.1Imaging Techniques 10.6.2Half Life 10.6.3Gamma Camera 10.6.4High Energy X-Rays 10.6.5Radioactive Implants 10.6.6Imaging Comparisons

11

Option: Engineering Physics (A2 only)

11.1

Rotational Dynamics (A2 only)

11.1.1Moment of Inertia 11.1.2Rotational Kinetic Energy 11.1.3Rotational Motion 11.1.4Torque & Angular Acceleration 11.1.5Angular Momentum 11.1.6Angular Work & Power

11.2

Thermodynamics & Engines (A2 only)

11.2.1First Law of Thermodynamics 11.2.2Non-Flow Processes 11.2.3p-V Diagrams 11.2.4Engine Cycles 11.2.5Second Law & Engines 11.2.6Reversed Heat Engines

12

Option: Turning Points in Physics (A2 only)

12.1

Discovery of the Electron (A2 only)

12.1.1Cathode Rays 12.1.2Thermionic Electron Emission 12.1.3Electron Specific Charge 12.1.4Millikan's Experiment

12.2

Wave-Particle Duality (A2 only)

12.2.1Newton's & Huygen's Theories of Light 12.2.2Electromagnetic Waves 12.2.3Photoelectricity 12.2.4Wave-Particle Duality 12.2.5Electron Microscopes

12.3

Special Relativity (A2 only)

12.3.1Michelson-Morley Experiment 12.3.2Einstein's Theory of Special Relativity 12.3.3Time Dilation 12.3.4Length Contraction 12.3.5Mass & Energy

Practice questions on Thermal Energy Transfer Experiments

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

1
When should you draw a tangent to the temperature-time graph?Multiple choice
2
What is the correct equation for specific heat capacity?Multiple choice
3
Heat Capacity ExperimentPut in order
4
Why is the method of continuous flow better than heating a beaker?Multiple choice
5
Method of Continuous FlowPut in order

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Thermal Energy Transfer

Ideal Gases