Question

Solid whose specific heat is to be determined is heated uniformly up to a fixed temperature in a hypsometer. It is then dropped in a calorimeter containing known quantities of cold water and the temperature of mixture is recorded. The hot solid will lose heat whereas the calorimeter and cold water will give heat till the temperature becomes the same throughout.
The above passage is the theory of
A. The experiment to determine the rate of cooling of a solid
B. The experiment to determine the latent heat of evaporation of a liquid
C. The experiment to determine the latent heat of fusion of a solid
D. The experiment to determine the specific heat of solid

Answer 1

Hint: Specific heat of solid is determined using the steps used in the question. The use of a hypsometer and calorimeter reflects the experiment of specific heat of solid.

Complete step by step answer:
Specific heat capacity is the amount of heat required for one unit mass to raise the temperature through one unit in temperature. The specific heat varies with the temperature and is different for different states of matter. The calorimeter is an instrument used to measure the flow of heat in a chemical or physical reaction. Through a calorimeter we will see the flow of heat of solid in the experiment. The hypsometer is an instrument used to determine boiling point. As we are heating the solid firstly, the hypsometer will help to see a rise in temperature.
To measure the specific heat of solid we use the following steps:
1. Heat the solid uniformly up to a fixed temperature in the hypsometer.
2. Drop the solid in the calorimeter containing cold water.
3. Temperature is noted down in the mixture.
4. The solid will lose the heat and the calorimeter will gain the heat till the temperature becomes the same throughout.
Specific heat is determined by calorimetric principle.
Heat loss = heat gain

So, the correct answer is “Option D”.

Additional Information:
The measurement of specific heat of solid is an experimental concept. Using the hypsometer and calorimeter makes us clear about the experimental concept of measuring specific heat of solid.

Note:
The experimental concept of specific heat is required to be understood as the instruments used in the experiment should be clear, for what needs hypsometer and calorimeter is used. Have a good hold on the practicality of measuring specific heat of solid.