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6 (a) Explain the difference between the term ‘specific heat capacity’ and the term ‘specific latent heat’ when applied to heating substances - Edexcel - GCSE Physics Combined Science - Question 6 - 2022 - Paper 1
Question 6
6 (a) Explain the difference between the term ‘specific heat capacity’ and the term ‘specific latent heat’ when applied to heating substances. (b) Figure 10 shows s... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:6 (a) Explain the difference between the term ‘specific heat capacity’ and the term ‘specific latent heat’ when applied to heating substances - Edexcel - GCSE Physics Combined Science - Question 6 - 2022 - Paper 1
Step 1
Explain the difference between the term ‘specific heat capacity’ and the term ‘specific latent heat’
Answer
The term ‘specific heat capacity’ refers to the amount of thermal energy required to change the temperature of a unit mass of a substance by one degree Celsius (or Kelvin). It primarily concerns changes in temperature of a substance without undergoing any change in state.
In contrast, ‘specific latent heat’ is the amount of thermal energy required to change the state of a unit mass of a substance without changing its temperature. This process involves phase transitions such as melting, freezing, evaporation, or boiling, where the temperature remains constant.
Step 2
Explain how the student should then obtain an accurate reading for the final temperature of the water
Answer
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Stir the water before taking a reading of temperature: This ensures an even distribution of heat throughout the water, leading to a more accurate measurement.
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Observe temperatures for longer than 10 minutes after switching off: After the power supply is turned off, it’s important to monitor the temperature over an extended period to account for any residual heating effects.
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Record the maximum temperature reached: The highest temperature the water reaches after the power is turned off should be noted to ensure the maximum energy absorption is measured.
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Take temperature reading at eye level: This minimizes parallax error, giving a more accurate reading of the thermometer.
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Allow time for the thermometer to adjust: After switching the power off, wait for the thermometer reading to stabilize before recording the final temperature.