of cold water into the inner vessel of the calorimeter. Determine its mass (either by volume, where , or by weighing). Initial water temperature (
Quickly transfer the heated metal body from the boiling water into the calorimeter with cold water. Stir the water gently with the thermometer or a stirrer. Final temperature (
The third laboratory work in the 8th-grade physics curriculum (specifically the widely used program) is titled "Measuring the Specific Heat Capacity of a Substance" ( 1.2.1 ). Another common variation for this grade level is "Determining Relative Air Humidity" ( 1.2.2 ).
The heat balance equation states that the heat gained by the water ( Qgaincap Q sub g a i n end-sub ) equals the heat lost by the metal body ( Qlostcap Q sub l o s t end-sub