• Equipment and Setup
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• CUPOL Experiments

Equipments used in this experiment are (see Figure 1): Stainless steel temperature probe, metal cylinder and block, styrofoam cup, calorimeter cup, 100 ml beaker, balance, metal beaker, hot plate, mercury thermometer, paper towels, and ice. flags, two photogates, four 0.05kg masses. Turn the setting of the hot plate to "high" to speed up the heating (see Figure 2). Do not let the probe touch the hot metal sample (see Figure 3). Use 'Lab programs -> 207 Labs -> Thermometer' program to record the data. Take data for about one minute to have an accurate measurement of the initial water temperature.(see Figure 4).

[Click on images to enlarge.] 1 2 3 4

• Perform the experiment ahead of time!
• Don't let the temperature probe touch the hot metal samples (Figure 3).
• For you and other's safety, don't touch the the metal beaker when it is being heated.
• Adjust the position of the mercury thermometer so it won't touch either the beaker or hot metal.
• Let the metal samples stay in boiling water long enough to make sure their temperature is the same as the one you read from the mercury thermometer.
• Make sure that the students handle the wires and cables properly so they are not in contact with the hot plate!
• You may want to remind the students the relation between the calories and joules.
• Double check to make sure all the hot plates have been turned off before you leave the room!

Enter TA password to view sample data and results of this experiment:

The Lab Manual for this experiment does not exist on-line.

Take a look at these CUPOL experiments for an on-line laboratory experience:

• Vernier caliper tutorial