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Outline methods for conducting experiments to determine the specific heat capacity of both solids and liquids.

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Cambridge IGCSE PhysicsThermal physicsSupplement contentPractical objective

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Outline methods for conducting experiments to determine the specific heat capacity of both solids and liquids

This point belongs to Specific heat capacity, especially Specific heat capacity outcomes.
You need to be able to outline methods for conducting experiments to determine the specific heat capacity of both solids and liquids.
The key ideas to know are Describe, Investigate, and Measure.
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DescribeInvestigateMeasure

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Paper 6 structured question: Specific heat capacity

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Method

Method for Measuring Specific Heat Capacity

A solid is heated using a heater. The mass of the solid is measured, and the initial temperature is recorded. The heater is switched on for a specific time, and the final temperature is recorded. The heat supplied is calculated using the power of the heater and time.

Step	Description
1	Measure the mass of the solid.
2	Record the initial temperature.
3	Turn on the heater for a set time.
4	Record the final temperature.

a
State the independent variable in this method.
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Related learning objectives

Understand that when the temperature of an object increases, its internal energy also rises.
Specific heat capacity outcomes
Explain how the temperature rise of an object relates to the increase in the average kinetic energy of its particles.
Specific heat capacity outcomes
Define specific heat capacity as the energy needed to raise the temperature of one unit mass by one degree; remember and apply the formula ∆ E = c ∆ m θ.
Specific heat capacity outcomes

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