A student investigates specific heat capacity.

1. (a)He puts 25cm³ of water in a beaker. The thermometer in Fig. 1.1 shows the temperature θ₁ of the water. [Figure 1.1] Record θ₁. θ₁ = ..................................................... °C[1]
2. (b)(i)The teacher has placed some 50g masses in boiling water. Each mass has been tied to a length of string. The student takes the beaker of water to where the masses are in boiling water. He uses the string to remove one mass from the boiling water and places it carefully into the beaker as shown in Fig. 1.2. [Figure 1.2] He then returns to his workstation and replaces the thermometer in the beaker. The thermometer in Fig. 1.3 shows the maximum temperature θ₂ of the water. [Figure 1.3] Calculate the temperature change θ₂ – θ₁. θ₂ – θ₁ = ....................................................[1]
3. (b)(ii)Describe how to ensure that θ₂ is measured as accurately as possible.[2]
4. (b)(iii)The beaker is made from a special type of glass. Suggest why it is suitable for this experiment.[1]
5. (b)(iv)Calculate the specific heat capacity cₘ of the 50g mass using the equation: cₘ = (4.2 (θ₂ – θ₁)) / (2 (100 – θ₂)) cₘ = ..................................................... J/(g°C)[1]
6. (c)(i)Describe two sources of error in the method used to determine cₘ.[2]
7. (c)(ii)Suggest two improvements to the method.[2]

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