In a report of an experiment to measure the specific latent heat of vaporisation of water, a student wrote the following. "Steam at 100 °C was added to cold water in a calorimeter. When the steam had condensed, measurements were taken. The specific latent heat of vaporisation of water was then calculated." Draw a labelled diagram of the apparatus used. List two measurements that the student took before adding the steam to the water. How did the student find the mass of steam that was added to the water? How did the student make sure that only steam, and not hot water, was added to the calorimeter? Give one precaution that the student took to prevent heat loss from the calorimeter.

Leaving Cert Physics EXPERIMENTS - ALL: In a report of an experiment to

In a report of an experiment to measure the specific latent heat of vaporisation of water, a student wrote the following - Leaving Cert Physics - Question 2 - 2005

Question 2

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In a report of an experiment to measure the specific latent heat of vaporisation of water, a student wrote the following. "Steam at 100 °C was added to cold water i... show full transcript

Worked Solution & Example Answer:In a report of an experiment to measure the specific latent heat of vaporisation of water, a student wrote the following - Leaving Cert Physics - Question 2 - 2005

Step 1

Draw a labelled diagram of the apparatus used.

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Answer

To draw a labelled diagram of the apparatus used in this experiment, first, illustrate the calorimeter which contains cold water. Include the following labels:

Calorimeter: The main container filled with water.
Thermometer: Placed inside the calorimeter to measure the temperature of the water.
Steam Generator: Indicate the source of steam, connected by a Steam Delivery Tube to the calorimeter.
Insulation: Show insulation around the calorimeter to minimize heat loss.

Ensure the labels are clear and positioned to avoid clutter in the diagram.

Step 2

List two measurements that the student took before adding the steam to the water.

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Answer

The mass of cold water in the calorimeter.
The initial temperature of the cold water.

Step 3

How did the student find the mass of steam that was added to the water?

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Answer

The student calculated the mass of steam added using the formula:

$m_{steam} = m_{final} - m_{initial}$

Where:

$m_{final}$ is the total mass of water after steam condensation in the calorimeter,
$m_{initial}$ is the mass of water in the calorimeter before adding the steam.

Step 4

How did the student make sure that only steam, and not hot water, was added to the calorimeter?

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Answer

The student ensured that only steam entered the calorimeter by using a:

Sloped Delivery Tube: To direct the steam downwards into the calorimeter.
Insulation / Barrier: Maintaining the temperature difference between the steam and the water to prevent hot water from entering the calorimeter.

Step 5

Give one precaution that the student took to prevent heat loss from the calorimeter.

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Answer

One precaution could be to use an insulating material around the calorimeter to reduce heat loss to the environment. This can be implied from the diagram if not already awarded marks.

In a report of an experiment to measure the specific latent heat of vaporisation of water, a student wrote the following - Leaving Cert Physics - Question 2 - 2005

Worked Solution & Example Answer:In a report of an experiment to measure the specific latent heat of vaporisation of water, a student wrote the following - Leaving Cert Physics - Question 2 - 2005

Draw a labelled diagram of the apparatus used.

List two measurements that the student took before adding the steam to the water.

How did the student find the mass of steam that was added to the water?

How did the student make sure that only steam, and not hot water, was added to the calorimeter?

Give one precaution that the student took to prevent heat loss from the calorimeter.

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