Lesson 3 - Calorimetry Laboratory
Curriculum Expectations
D3.3 explain how mass, heat capacity, and change in temperature of a substance determine the amount of heat gained or lost by the substance
Lesson Hook: Laboratory Preparation
In this lesson students will extend their knowledge from the previous lesson to investigate the specific heat capacities of different materials and complete calculations related to calorimetry. Students will apply the knowledge gained in this experiment to explain selection of materials.
"Calorimetry" is an engaging video that revisits concepts that students learned in the previous class. It includes the concept of high energy bonds breaking and low energy bonds forming, releasing energy. The video goes on to explain how this release of energy is measured using a calorimeter - discussing both coffee-cup calorimeters and bomb calorimeters.
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Pedagogical Approach
Prior to the laboratory, determine the temperature of a hot plate at a specific setting. This setting will be used by students to determine the specific heat capacity of an object.
Equipment
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Safety
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Procedure
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This laboratory is an excellent application of the information that students were introduced to in the previous classes and reinforces how calorimeters are used. While the laboratory consolidates students' previous learning, it also encourages extension and application thinking by asking students to determine the temperature of the hot plate at a different setting. Alternatively, the concepts covered by this laboratory are also covered in the Calorimetry Gizmo.
Lesson Consolidation: Post-it, pile-it
Students summarize their findings of specific heat capacities on post-it notes and post them on the board. Discuss these findings as a class and provide feedback to students based on the values of specific heat capacity calculated. If time remains, facilitate a discussion of calculation of hot plate temperatures (students can finish this for homework if they do not finish by the end of the class).