4A40.40 - Specific Heat: Beeswax

PIRA 4A40.40 - Specific Heat: Beeswax

Photo and Video Shows the Demonstration Used at U.T. Austin

Instructions:

Hot water will be provided in a thermal container.

Pour the hot water from the thermos into the pot, and immediately submerge the masses into the pot by holding the pencil end.

Let the masses heat up for 2 minutes.

Dry the masses quickly by dabbing them on a paper towel, and then place them in the slots of the acrylic piece and lower the masses into the slots. DO NOT TOUCH THEM WITH YOUR HANDS - They are hot.

Observe how quickly they melt in comparison to one another.

Concept Conveyed:

Each element has the same mass (200g), is placed in the hot water to heat up at the same time, and placed on the wax at the same time.

The difference is their composition: copper, aluminum, tin, and lead, which shows how the specific heat of each element differs from one another.

Demo Staff:

Add enough water to a pot to fill it approximately 75% of the way up.

Put the pot of water on a hotplate, and heat until it comes to a rolling boil. START THIS PROCESS AT LEAST 30 MINUTES BEFORE ROLLING OUT DEMO!

Ensure the masses are attached properly on hanging string (masses should be level).

Take one of the wax pieces and GENTLY press it onto the edges of the acrylic piece so that it remains in place.

Once the water boils, pour it into the thermal container and provide to faculty.