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Contents
1.0 OBJECTIVE ......................................................................................................................................... 2
2.0 PRINCIPLE .......................................................................................................................................... 2
3.0 THEORY ............................................................................................................................................. 2
4.0 CHEMICALS........................................................................................................................................ 3
5.0 EQUIPMENT ...................................................................................................................................... 3
6.0 PROCEDURES..................................................................................................................................... 3
7.0 observation and calculation………………………………………………………………………………………………………4

8.0 Application ....................................................................................................................................... 5

9.0 PRECAUTIONS……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………5

10.0 REFERENCES….………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………5
1.0 Objective

To determine the mechanical equivalent of heat.

2.0 Principle

3.0 Theory

The mechanical equivalent of heat is that amount of work required to raise the temperature of
a substance of unit mass by 1 K. The concept stated that motion and heat are mutually
interchangeable and that in every case, a given amount of work would generate the same
amount of heat, provided the work done is totally converted to heat energy. In
thermodynamics, the mechanical equivalent of heat, symbol J (in honor of James Joule), is
the ratio of a unit of mechanical energy (work) to the equivalent unit of thermal energy
(W/Q) when a system of units is used in which they differ.

Where J is a constant known as the mechanical equivalent of heat

The mechanical equivalent of heat states that motion and heat are mutually interchangeable
and that in every case, a given amount of work would generate the same amount of heat,
provided the work done is totally converted to heat energy. The mechanical equivalent of
heat was a concept that had an important part in the development and acceptance of
the conservation of energy and the establishment of the science of thermodynamics in the
19th century.

For a long time it was debated as to whether the heat of a system, used to define in terms of
its temperature, was a form of energy or an independent magnitude which is conserved.
During the first half of the nineteenth century, it was proven that mechanical energy due to
friction is completely converted to heat, independent of the course of the transformation
process and of the physical and chemical characteristics of the material used. Heat was
accordingly defined as the energy of disorganized, macroscopically invisible molecular
movements.

In this experiment, a metal test body is rotated and heated by the friction due to a tensed band
of synthetic material. The mechanical equivalent of heat is determined from the defined
mechanical work and from the thermal energy increase deduced from the increase of
temperature. Assuming the equivalence of mechanical work and heat, the specific thermal
capacity of aluminum, brass and copper is determined.
4.0 Chemicals

 Slica gel

5.0 Equipment

 Mechanical equivalent of heat apparatus

 Spring balance
 Weights
 Thermometer
 Friction cylinder

6.0 Procedure

 Determine the mass of friction cylinder by weighing it and fix the friction cylinder
and crank handle to the journal bearing.
 Hang spring balance from the holder.
  Attach the friction band to the spring balance.
 Wrap the band 2.5 times around the cylinder so that the load on the balance is relieved
if crank handles is turned to right.
 Attach a weight to the lower end of the friction band.
 Fill the hole in the cylinder with the thermally conducting paste and measure the
temperature of cylinder at start of experiment (T1).
 Make a define number of rotations (say 100) with the crank handle as evenly as
possible.
 Force exerted by the hanging mass is FG.
 Drag force FD is a force which is acting in opposite direction to FG.
 After a define number of rotations, note the temperature T2.

7.0 Observation and Calculation

Mass of friction cylinder = m = 5 kg

Radius of frictional cylinder = r = 0.0225 m

Drag force = FD =49 N

Initial temperature of cylinder = T1 = 298 K

Thermal Heat capacity of heated parts = C total = C cylinder + C band + C thermometer =

0.384+4+4=8.384 J/K
Sr Number Force on Cylinder Work due to Thermal Energy Mechanical
no of spring temperature friction Q= C total (T2-T1) Equivalent
rotations balance FG at the end W=2π r n (FG-FD) (J) of Heat
(n) (N) T2 (J) J=W/Q
(K)
1
2
3

8.0 application

 In machinery part due to kinetic work done by machine, it will create the heat, so this
is the mechanical equivalent of heat.
 Combustion engines are good example of mechanical equivalent of heat.

9.0 Precaution

 Continuously turn the cylinder at constant speed.

Safety Precautions:

 Use thermal grease while inserting thermometer in the cylinder to avoid the trapping
of air and for insulation.
 Thermometer should be at the angle of 180 degree with cylinder otherwise the
breakage of thermometer is possible.
 The speed of rotation should be uniform.
 Do not put your feet beneath the hanging mass.

10.0 References:

 Macabe and smith ed. 5th