Physics · Practical apparatus

Solid and liquid calorimetry

Choose a solid sample or hot water and mix with cooler water. Include the calorimeter heat capacity so heat balance predicts the correct final temperature.

Open the interactive experiment →

Solid and liquid calorimetry

சூடான பொருள் இழக்கும் வெப்பம் நீரும் கலோரிமீட்டரும் பெறும் வெப்பத்திற்கு சமம். கலோரிமீட்டர் வெப்ப ஏற்பை சேர்க்கவும்.

Key notes, relationships and model limits

Key relationship

mh ch(Th−Tf)=(mw cw+Ccal)(Tf−Tw).

Practical tip

Choose a solid sample or hot water and mix with cooler water. Include the calorimeter heat capacity so heat balance predicts the correct final temperature.

Common trap

Include the calorimeter heat capacity. This panel predicts mixing for assigned heat capacities, rather than measuring an unknown liquid value.

Model limits

insulated mixture, constant heat capacities, no evaporation or phase change, both sample and water reach one equilibrium temperature.

What you will learn

Adjust solid and liquid calorimetry apparatus, observe its reading and derive the indicated physical quantity.

Try the experiment

Try both scenarios, change one control, and predict the result before checking the graph and readouts.

Think of it this way

Change one input while keeping the others fixed, as you would in a controlled experiment.

Worked example

Equal water masses at 80 and 20 °C reach 50 °C when calorimeter heat capacity is zero.

Why this matters

The model connects solid and liquid calorimetry with an observable reading. Check the equation and assumptions before applying it.

Before you start

SI units · algebra · graph reading

Check your understanding

In an insulated calorimeter, heat lost by the hot sample equals?

Zero for both bodies.
Heat gained by the water and calorimeter.
Heat gained by water alone regardless of the calorimeter.

Read the explanation

Heat gained by the water and calorimeter.

Course connection: Virtual apparatus preparation. Check exact board/exam membership in the syllabus sources. Physical practical work remains necessary.