New Physics at Work (Second Edition) Oxford University Press 2007

Experiment 3b Class: Name: ( ) Date:

21
Background information
The specific latent heat of fusion l
f
of a substance is the energy needed
to change 1 kg of the substance from solid to liquid without a change in
temperature. It is given by the equation: l
f
=

Q
m
.
Measuring the specific latent heat of
fusion of ice
3b
To measure the specific latent heat of fusion of ice.
Objective
crushed ice
2 low voltage immersion heaters
(50 W 12 V)
1 power pack (012 V a.c./d.c.)
1 joulemeter
2 funnels
2 small pieces of wire gauze
2 beakers of the same mass
1 retort stand and 2 clamps
1 electronic balance
Apparatus
Procedure
1 Set up the apparatus as shown in Figure 3b-1 on p.22:
(a) Place a smal piece of wire gauze at the neck of two funnels.
(b) Fill the funnels with crushed melting ice. Measure the mass of
each funnel to ensure the mass of ice in each funnel is roughly
the same.
(c) Insert an immersion heater into the ice of each funnel. Connect
one of the heaters to the power supply through a joulemeter.
(d) Pack the ice so that the drip rates of water from the two funnels
are steady and about the same.
What is the purpose of the control apparatus?
1 Ice is crushed to
increase the contact
area with heater.
2 Melting ice is used so
that its temperature
is 0 C and no energy
is needed to raise its
temperature before
melting.
3 The small pieces of
wire gauze prevent
the crushed ice from
dropping from the
funnels directly.
Precaution
This is to account for the ice melted at room temperature.
New Physics at Work (Second Edition) Oxford University Press 2007
Experiment 3b Class: Name: ( ) Date:
22
control
apparatus
experimental
apparatus
joulemeter
to 12 V a.c.
power supply
immersion
heater
crushed
ice
Do not touch the heating
part of the heater until it
has cooled down.
Fig 3b-1
2 (a) Record the initial joulemeter reading.
(b) Place a beaker underneath each funnel. Switch on the heater.
3 (a) After about 5 minutes, switch off the heater. Wait until the drip
rates of water from the two funnels are steady and about the
same.
(b) Remove the two beakers and measure the mass of them with
water.
(c) Record the final joulemeter reading.
4 Record the results below and calculate the specific latent heat of
fusion of ice.
Results:
Mass of experimental beaker with water m
1
= __________ kg
Mass of control beaker with water m
2
= __________ kg
Mass of ice melted by heater m = m
1
m
2
= __________ kg
Initial joulemeter reading J
1
= __________ J
Final joulemeter reading J
2
= __________ J
Energy supplied by heater Q = J
2
J
1
= __________ J
Specific latent heat of fusion of ice l
f
=

Q
m

= __________ J kg
1
Precaution
Insert the heating part
of the heater totally into
the ice. This maximizes
the energy transfer to
the ice and avoids the
heater from overheating.
Precaution
This allows time for the
energy to be conducted
from the heater to the
ice.
It is very difficult to
maintain a true control for
the experimental beaker.
0.050
29 200
0.014
14 200
0.036
3.94 10
5
15 000
New Physics at Work (Second Edition) Oxford University Press 2007
Experiment 3b Class: Name: ( ) Date:
23
1 The specific latent heat of fusion of ice is the energy needed to
change 1 kg of ______________________ to _____________________
without a change in temperature.
2 The standard value of the specific latent heat of fusion of ice
is _____________________ J kg
1
.
Discussion
Compare the measured value of the specific latent heat of fusion of
ice with the standard value, 3.34 10
5
J kg
1
. What are the possible
sources of error in this experiment?
Further thinking
If this experiment is repeated without setting up the control apparatus,
how will the measured value of the specific latent heat of fusion of
ice be affected? Explain your answer.
Is it necessary to wrap the two funnels in insulating material? Explain
your answer.
The possible sources
of error should match
the measured value of l
f
.
The measured value is higher than the standard value.
It is difficult to keep the water dripping down the funnels at the same rate. Energy is
lost to the surroundings.
The measured value will be smaller.
Without the control apparatus, the mass of ice melted by the energy from
It is not necessary.
By l
f
=
Q
m
, as m becomes larger (extra mass is included), l
f
will become smaller.
surroundings by the ice.
surroundings is included in calculating the specifc latent heat.
The control apparatus has already eliminated the effect of energy gained from the
ice water
3.34 10
5
However, the
control apparatus
cannot eliminate the
effect of energy loss
from the heater to the
surroundings.