The change in internal energy when the temperature of 1 kg of the material changes by 1°C.

An electrical heating element which can be submerged in liquid to heat it.

A meter which measures the energy transferred by an electric current.

A principle which states that the total amount of energy is the same before and after any transfer.

Measuring specific heat capacity

Combined science

In the Nuclear physics unit, pupils will build on this knowledge to learn about subatomic particles, unstable nuclei, radioactive decay, ionising radiation and radioactive half-life.

In the Particle explanations of density and pressure unit, pupils learnt how the arrangement and movement of particles in solids, liquids and gases explain density, pressure, floating and convection.

This unit covers energy changes in systems due to heating, forces, and electrical work. It explains reducing energy transfer via insulation, specific heat capacity, and latent heat. Emphasis is on calculations, planning experiments, data interpretation, and evaluating methods.

Energy of moving particles

Physical activity and equipment requiring safe use

the change in energy required to heat 1 kg of a material by 1°C

an electrical heater placed into a liquid to heat it

measures the energy transferred by an electric current

the total amount of energy does not change during any interaction

Match the following key words or phrases to their definition.

A joulemeter shows a starting reading of 145 J. After five minutes, it shows 8240 J. How much energy has been transferred through the joulemeter in this time?

start temperature: 20°C; end temperature: 22°C

start temperature: 19°C; end temperature: 22°C

start temperature: 21°C; end temperature: 25°C

start temperature: 20°C; end temperature: 25°C

start temperature: 18°C; end temperature: 24°C

0.1 kg samples, heated to the same temperature, are each put into 5 kg of cold water. The water temperatures are shown. Starting with the smallest, sort the metals in order of specific heat capacity.

A 0.50 kg piece of metal at 114°C is placed in 2.0 kg of water. The water reaches a temperature of 30°C.
(SHC of the metal = 200 J/kg °C)
How much energy did the metal transfer to the water? {{}} J

A 0.50 kg sample of a metal is heated using 6000 J. Its temperature rises from 20.2°C to 32.2°C.
Calculate the specific heat capacity of the metal.

When placed in water, a metal block of mass 0.12 kg cools by 41.7°C. The energy transferred to the water by heating is 2000 J. What is the specific heat capacity of the metal to 3 s.f?

Heating a sample of a material can increase its temperature.

Heating a sample of material can decrease its temperature.

All materials' temperatures change equally when given the same amount of energy.

Temperature change depends on the type of material.

Temperate change depends on the mass of a sample.

Which of the following statements about heating are correct?

Which of the following pieces of equipment should be used to measure the mass of a solid sample of a material? 

Which of the following pieces of equipment should be used to accurately measure the volume of a sample of a liquid?

The temperature change when 1 kg of the material is heated using 1 J.

The temperature change when 1 kg of the material is heated using 1 kJ.

The energy change of a sample of material when its temperature changes by 1°C.

The energy change when 1 kg of the material changes temperature by 1°C.

The mass change when the material’s temperature increases by 1°C.

Which of the following is a correct definition of the specific heat capacity of a material?

start temperature: 19°C; end temperature: 25°C

start temperature: 21°C; end temperature: 30°C

start temperature: 20°C; end temperature: 30°C

start temperature: 25°C; end temperature: 45°C

start temperature: 28°C; end temperature: 55°C

An engineer heats six 0.5 kg samples of liquids using the same amount of energy. The temperature changes are shown. Starting with the greatest, sort the liquids into order of specific heat capacity.

The overall energy transfer is from the water to the metal.

The overall energy transfer is from the metal to the water.

The water and metal will eventually reach the same temperature.

The energy loss from the metal is equal to the energy gain for the water.

The temperature change of the metal and water are equal.

A block of hot metal is placed into a beaker of cold water. Which of the following statements are correct?

Content guidance

Risk assessment required - equipment

Adult supervision required

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Measuring specific heat capacity

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.