Calorimetry

Heat The kinetic energy due to random motion of the molecules of a given
substance is known as its heat energy.
SI unit of joule (J)
heat
Temperature The average internal kinetic energy of all the molecules of a given substance
is called temperature.
SI unit of kelvin (K)
temperature
Significance Temperature determines the degree of hotness or coldness of body.
of Temperature determines the direction of flow of heat.
temperature Heat flows from the body at a higher temperature to the body at a
lower temperature.
Heat is the cause while temperature is the effect.
Note: Equality of temperature of two bodies does not imply that they have
the same heat.
Calorie One calorie is the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of
1 g of water through 1C (from 14.5 to 15.5 ).
Kilocalorie It is the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of 1 kg of
water, through 1C.
Relationship 1 calorie = 4.2 J
between units 1 kilocalorie = 1000 calorie = 4200 J
Factors Following three factors determine the heat absorbed by a cold body:
which (i) Heat absorbed is directly proportional to the mass of the body.
determine the Q m
heat absorbed
by a cold (ii) Heat absorbed is directly proportional to the specific heat capacity
body (nature of material) of the body.
(iii) Heat absorbed is directly proportional to the rise in temperature of the
body.
Q T

From above, Q m T or Q=cm T

Specific heat The amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of one kg of a
capacity substance through 1C (or 1 K) is called its specific heat capacity.

SI unit of J kg1 K1
specific heat
capacity
Thermal The amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of a given mass
capacity or of a substance through 1C (or 1 K) is called its thermal capacity.
heat capacity

Note: T = T K
SI unit of JK1
thermal
capacity
Relationship Q ' Q
c=
between heat mT and C = T
'
capacity( C
) and specific C' =mc
heat
capacity(c)
Calorimeter

Substance-A (Hot body) Substance-B (Cold body)

Mass m1 m2

Specific heat capacity c1 c2

Initial temperature T1 T2

Final Temperature T
Heat energy lost by A = Heat energy gained by B
 T
( 1T )=m2 c 2 (T T 2)
m1 c 1

Measurement of specific heat capacity of a solid

Question Why hot water bottles are are used for fomentation?
Answer The reason is that water does not cool quickly due to its high specific heat
capacity, so a hot water bottle provides heat energy for fomentation for a
long time.
Question Why is water used as a coolant in motor-car radiators?
Answer Water has the high specific heat capacity. Thus, it can absorb large amount
of heat from a working engine, which is then radiated out through the
radiator. Thus, on this low temperature the engine works efficiently.
Why is the base of cooking pan made thick and heavy?