OBJECT: To measure the heat of fusion of ice, using the method of mixtures.
METHOD: A piece of ice of known mass is dropped into a calorimeter containing a measured quantity of water. The heat given up by the calorimeter cup and its contents (water, thermometer and stirrer) is computed from their combined thermal capacity and the change in temperature. The heat absorbed by the ice is expressed in terms of the mass of ice, the heat of fusion and the change in temperature of the water from the melted ice. The heat given up by the cup and its contents is set equal to the heat absorbed by the ice, and this equation is solved for the latent heat of fusion. A correction is made for the exchange of heat between the calorimeter cup and its surroundings.
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OBJECT: To make an experimental determination of the mechanical equivalent of heat using a continuous flow calorimeter.
METHOD: A stream of water flowing through a glass tube is heated by an electric current passing through a heating element contained in the tube. The temperature difference between the water entering and leaving the tube depends upon the amount of energy supplied per unit time to the heating element (power input) and upon the mass of water flowing through the tube per unit time. A uniform rate of flow of water is maintained and several determinations of the temperature difference are made for corresponding values of the power input. From the measured rate of flow and the slope of a graph of power input versus temperature difference, the value of the mechanical equivalent of heat is determined.
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