Activity Overview
In this activity, students' will use a Temperature Sensor to understand how heat is transferred between substances and the concept of thermal equilibrium. They learn about specific heat and how it can be used to identify an unknown sample.
Before the Activity
Connect the TI-73 to the CBL 2 unit
Plug the temperature sensor in Channel 1 on the CBL 2
Download TI-GRAPH LINK™ or TI Connect™ to analyze data on the computer
Download the DataMate™ program
See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity
Print pages 95 - 101 from the attached PDF file for your class
During the Activity
Distribute the pages to your class
Follow the Activity procedure:
Find the mass of the unknown sample
Find the mass of the empty calorimeter
Find the mass of the 100 ml water at room temperature and calorimeter, and determine the mass of the water and its temperature
Place the unknown sample in the water and bring the water to a boil and note its temperature
Remove the sample from the boiling water and gently place it in the calorimeter
Measure the final temperature of the water and the sample in the calorimeter
Calculate the specific heat of the sample
Using the table of specific heats, identify the unknown sample
After the Activity
Students' will complete Student Data Collection and Analysis Sheet.
Review student results
As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging
Re-teach concepts as necessary