Properly use lab equipment to collect data needed to determine specific heats. Use formulas and calculations to quantify the specific heat for both substances. Manipulate formulas to solve specific unknown values. The specific heat of a substance is defined as the amount of energy necessary to raise the temperature of 1 gram of the substance by 1 degree Celsius.
Water has a large specific heat, whereas metals have a small specific heat.
The use of a calorimeter is essential in determining the specific heat of substances. A calorimeter is a device used to measure the heat liberated by a substance or object. It consists of a highly insulated container with a known quantity of water. The insulation prevents heat from being gained or lost by the water in the calorimeter to the surroundings. You will use a calorimeter, with a known amount of water in it, to measure the heat liberated from clean fine sand and topsoil.