1. Thermal Physics Experiments.
1. Converting GPE to Thermal Energy.
1. Record the temperature of the lead shot.
2. Invert the tube so the shot goes to the other end.
Cardboard tube with bung at each end.
3. Replace the thermometer with the wooden dowel
4. Invert the tube another 48 times. Each time the lead shot falls down the length of the tube, its PE is converted to KE, and then to Heat Energy.
5. Finish with the lead shot at the end without the wooden dowel.
6. Replace the wooden dowel with the thermometer.
Lead Shot.
7. Gently invert the tube one more time, and record the temperature of the lead shot.
Thermometer
8. Remove one of the bungs, pour the lead shot into a beaker, and measure the mass of the lead shot.
9. Measure the distance the lead shot fell down the tube each time the tube was inverted.
Results: Temperature at Start:
Temperature at End:
Mass of lead shot:
Distance Fallen:

2. Calculations:
(i) Calculate the Potential Energy lost by the lead shot as it fell down the length of the tube 50 times.
(ii) Assuming all of this energy is converted to thermal energy, state the amount of thermal energy gained by the lead shot.
(iii) The rise in temperature of the lead shot will depend on three quantities: The thermal energy gained, its mass, and a constant for lead which tells us how much its temperature rises per joule of thermal energy gained. This constant is called the ‘Specific Heat Capacity ‘c’. The formula is:
Now calculate the Specific Heat Capacity for Lead and give its correct units.

3. 2. Converting Electrical Energy To Thermal Energy
Thermometer
Electrical Heater
1 kg Aluminium Block
1. Make sure Aluminium block is at  room temperature.
2. Measure its temperature
3. Take the heater out of the block. Switch it on. Wait for a minute until it gets hot, then put it back into the block and leave it for 10 minutes.
Insulation
4. Measure the temperature of the block.
5. Switch off the heater.
6. Use the formula for electrical energy, and the theory given for experiment (i) to calculate the specific heat capacity for aluminium. (You can be working out how to do this during the 10 minutes heating time !) V A
Heater

5. This is an experiment which you have to devise yourself
This is an experiment which you have to devise yourself. You are provided with a beaker, a stop clock, a bunsen burner, a thermometer, and water (from the tap !). The specific capacity of water is J kg-1 C-1. Devise and conduct an experiment to provide a rough estimate of the power (heat energy produced per second) of the bunsen burner.
Describe your experiment below, and include your results and calculations.

7. Conclusions:
Every substance has a ‘Specific Heat Capacity’ ‘c’. It is a measure of the ‘amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of 1 kg the substance by 1 degree’.
The associated formula is:

8. Questions Page 204

9. Thermal Physics Experiments.
1. Converting GPE to Thermal Energy.
1. Record the temperature of the lead shot.
2. Invert the tube so the shot goes to the other end.
Cardboard tube with bung at each end.
3. Replace the thermometer with the wooden dowel
4. Invert the tube another 48 times. Each time the lead shot falls down the length of the tube, its PE is converted to KE, and then to Heat Energy.
5. Finish with the lead shot at the end without the wooden dowel.
6. Replace the wooden dowel with the thermometer.
Lead Shot.
7. Gently invert the tube one more time, and record the temperature of the lead shot.
Thermometer
8. Remove one of the bungs, pour the lead shot into a beaker, and measure the mass of the lead shot.
9. Measure the distance the lead shot fell down the tube each time the tube was inverted.
Results: Temperature at Start:
Temperature at End:
Mass of lead shot:
Distance Fallen:

10. Calculations:
(i) Calculate the Potential Energy lost by the lead shot as it fell down the length of the tube 50 times.
(ii) Assuming all of this energy is converted to thermal energy, state the amount of thermal energy gained by the lead shot.
(iii) The rise in temperature of the lead shot will depend on three quantities: The thermal energy gained, its mass, and a constant for lead which tells us how much its temperature rises per joule of thermal energy gained. This constant is called the ‘Specific Heat Capacity ‘c’. The formula is:
Now calculate the Specific Heat Capacity for Lead and give its correct units.

11. 2. Converting Electrical Energy To Thermal Energy
Thermometer
Electrical Heater
1 kg Aluminium Block
1. Make sure Aluminium block is at  room temperature.
2. Measure its temperature
3. Take the heater out of the block. Switch it on. Wait for a minute until it gets hot, then put it back into the block and leave it for 10 minutes.
Insulation
4. Measure the temperature of the block.
5. Switch off the heater.
6. Use the formula for electrical energy, and the theory given for experiment (i) to calculate the specific heat capacity for aluminium. (You can be working out how to do this during the 10 minutes heating time !) V A
Heater

12. This is an experiment which you have to devise yourself
This is an experiment which you have to devise yourself. You are provided with a beaker, a stop clock, a bunsen burner, a thermometer, and water (from the tap !). The specific capacity of water is J kg-1 C-1. Devise and conduct an experiment to provide a rough estimate of the power (heat energy produced per second) of the bunsen burner.
Describe your experiment below, and include your results and calculations.

13. Conclusions:
Every substance has a ‘Specific Heat Capacity’ ‘c’. It is a measure of
The associated formula is:

14. Questions Page 204