Name: Partner:

Calorimetry Lab
In this experiment, you will identify an unknown metal using its density and specific heat. Be sure to note the
unknown number or letter on your data sheet and don’t forget about significant digits! Each group will
complete the following set of steps 4 times. One of you can be doing one trial while your partner is doing
another trial. Use the same mass of metal for density and specific heat for the same trial. Obtain a new sample
for all subsequent trials. Start a beaker of water heating on the hot plate.

Determining Density:

We need to know the mass and volume of the unknown metal. Go to the balance, zero out the weigh boat and
measure approximately 20g of the unknown metal. Note the exact mass of the metal on your data sheet and
return to your station. Put 25mL of water in your graduated cylinder. Note the exact initial volume on your data
sheet (watch decimal places!). Pour in your unknown metal into the cylinder, making sure that all of your metal
is submerged. Tap the side of the graduated cylinder until all the bubbles are removed. Note the final volume.
Calculate the volume of metal and its density. Pour out the water from the graduated cylinder without letting
any of the metal pour down the drain. Put the sample of metal on a few paper towels and pat dry.

Determining Specific Heat:

When the sample of metal is dry put every piece into a test tube. Place the test tube containing the metal in a
beaker of boiling water. Leave in the boiling water for at least 5 minutes. Note, your test tube of metal can be
heating at the same time as your partner’s, just make sure to keep straight which test tube is yours.

While the metal is heating, prepare the calorimeter. Measure exactly 50mL of water using the graduated
cylinder. Since the density of water is 1.00g/mL, calculate the mass of water and put it on your data table. Place
the thermometer in the water in the calorimeter. Wait until the temperature is stable and then write down the
temperature of the water on your data table.

After the metal has been in the boiling water for 5 minutes, use the test tube clamp to grab your test tube out of
the boiling water. Immediately pour the metal into your calorimeter containing the water and thermometer.
Make sure that all of the metal is submerged. Pick up the calorimeter and swirl its contents. When the
temperature remains constant, note it on your data sheet. Pour out the water without pouring any metal down
the drain. Pat the metal dry and put it in the appropriate trough in the hood. Clean and dry the calorimeter.
Repeat both the density and specific heat sections of this lab. Obtain the other two trials from your partner.

Complete each calculation for each trial. Calculate the temperature change of the water and the temperature
change of the metal. Determine the energy change of water by using the equations at the bottom of the data
sheet. (The specific heat of water is known to be 4.184J/g°C.) Determine the energy change of the metal.
Knowing the mass of the metal from the top of your data table, calculate the specific heat of the metal.
Calculate the average density and specific heat for your unknown metal. Compare to the table on the second
page of the data sheet. Identify your metal and answer the questions.

1
By E. Nuckels
Name: Partner:

Calorimetry Lab Data Sheet

Unknown Metal:

Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial 4

Mass (g)

Density
Initial Volume (mL)

Final Volume (mL)

Volume of Metal
(mL)
Density of Metal
(g/mL)

Specific Heat
Mass of water in
calorimeter (g)
Initial Temperature
of water (°C)
Initial Temperature
100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
of metal (°C)
Final Temperature
(°C)
Temperature change
of water (°C)
Energy change of
water (J)
Energy change of
metal (J)
Temperature change
of metal (°C)
Specific heat of
metal (J/g°C)

Average Density: g/mL Average Specific Heat: J/g°C

2
By E. Nuckels
Your unknown metal could be one of the following:

Metal Specific Heat (J/g°C) Density (g/mL)

Aluminum 0.900 2.7
Lead 0.128 11.34
Tin 0.21 7.31
Zinc 0.387 7.14

Identity of Metal:

Answer the following questions:

1. How does the energy of the water relate to the energy of the metal? Why?

2. Why is it important to dry the metal pieces prior to doing the calorimetry (specific heat) portion of the
experiment?

3. Why is it important to make sure that all the metal is submerged in water for both the density and
calorimetry determinations?

4. Which would you say is the best way to identify your metal, using specific heat, density or both? Why?
What errors may be associated with the either or both determinations?

3
By E. Nuckels