Comparing the Specific Heats of Metals II
Description: Equal masses of metals are placed in boiling water, and the temperatures allowed to equilibrate. The hot metals are placed on a track of beeswax and allowed to run down the track, melting the wax as they go. The metal with the higher specific heat capacity goes farther down the track.
Source: UW Card Catalogue
Year: N/A Vol: N/A Page: N/A
Keywords: Beeswax, Specific heat capacity, Metals, Melting
Rating: 
Hazard: Some
- Electric shock hazard
- Burn hazard
- Scalding hazard
- Acute toxicity hazard
- Reproductive toxicity hazard
- Carcinogenicity hazard
Effectiveness: Good
- Good connection to course material
- Time to results is high
- Good reliability
- Results are observable with guidance
- Mild effects are seen by audience
Difficulty: Medium
- Sequential manipulations required
- Use of heated weights
- Some intermediate steps to results
- Demos at non-standard conditions
Safety Precautions:
- Eye protection required
- Chemical gloves required
- Absorbent material required
- Use of UL approved three-prong plug and outlet
- Perform in a well-ventilated area
Class: Physical Properties, Solid State Chemistry
Division: General, Material Science Chemistry
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