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OBJECTIVES

To determine the thermal conductivity of copper and aluminium is determined in a


constant temperature gradient from the calorimetrically measured heat flow.
To test the electrical conductivity of copper and aluminium is determined and the
Wiedmann-Franz law.
PROCEDURE
Part A Heat Capacity of the Calorimeter
i) Weigh the lower calorimeter at room temperature
ii) Measure and record the room temperature.
iii) Prepare hot water and record its temperature.
Iv) Pour the hot water into the lower calorimeter.
v) Immediately take the temperature readings of the hot water in the calorimeter every
10 seconds for 5 minutes. Record them in Table 4.1.
vi)Reweigh the calorimeter to determine the mass of water.
Part B Ambient Heat
i) The calorimeter is then put under running tap water in order to get it back to room
temperature.
ii) The calorimeter is then filled with ice water. With the assistance of ice, obtain water
with a temperature of 0oC
iii) When a temperature of 0oC is obtained, remove all the pieces of ice and record the
temperature every minute for 30 minutes in Table 4.2.
iv)Reweigh the calorimeter to determine the mass of water.
Part C Thermal Conductivity
i) The setup is as shown in Fig 4.1. In this experiment, the differences in temperature
between the upper and lower mediums are monitored, as well as the temperature of
the water in the lower calorimeter.
ii) The empty lower calorimeter is weighed.
iii) Fill the lower calorimeter with ice water. With the aid of ice, obtain a temperature of
0oC
iv) When a temperature of 0oC is obtained, pour hot water in the upper calorimeter.
Ensure that
the upper calorimeter is well filled with hot water.
v) Keep the temperature of water in lower calorimeter water at 0oC with the help of ice,
until the difference in temperature between two points on the rod, is steady.
vi) When a constant temperature gradient is obtained, remove all the ice in the lower
calorimeter and begin taking readings of the difference in temperature and the

temperature of the water in the lower calorimeter. Readings should be taken every 30
seconds for 5 minutes and record them in Table 4.3.
Part D Electrical Conductivity
i) The setup is as shown in Fig 4.2. The metal rod in the setup is aluminium.
ii) Ensure that the voltage on the variable transformer is set to 6V.
iii) The amplifier must be calibrated to 0 in a voltage-free state to avoid a collapse on the
output voltage. Select the following amplifier settings:
Input Low Drift
Amplification 104
EQUIPMENT
Calorimeter vessel, 500 ml
Calor. vessel w. heat conduct. conn.
Heat conductivity rod, Cu
Heat conductivity rod, Al
Magn. stirrer, mini, controlable
Heat conductive paste, 50 g
Gauze bag
Rheostat, 10 Ohm , 5.7 A
Immers.heater, 300 W, 220-250VDC/AC
Temperature meter digital
Temperature probe, immers. type
Surface temperature probe
Stopwatch, digital, 1/100 sec.
Tripod base -PASSBench clamp -PASSSupport rod -PASS-, square, l 630 mm
Support rod -PASS-, square, l 1000 mm
Universal clamp
Right angle clamp -PASSSupporting block 1053105357 mm
Glass beaker, short, 400 ml
Multitap transf., 14VAC/12VDC, 5A
Digital multimeter
Universal measuring amplifier
Connecting cord, 500 mm, red
Connecting cord, 500 mm, blue

DISCUSSION
In this experiment, we can observe that heat conduction occur when there is difference
temperature value between the two or more objects. The quantity of heat dQ transported with
time dt is a function of the cross sectional are a and the temperature gradient dT/dx perpendicular
to the surface.While, for the heat capacity of the calorimeter is obtained from results of the
mixing experiment and the following formulaC = Cw . Mw . (Tw - Tm) / (Tm Tr)

Based on the results that we get when conducting the electrical conductivity experiment,
we observe that aluminium rod has higher current value compare to the copper rod. From the
observation that we get, we can that aluminium has more electrical conductivity than copper.
Electrical conductivity can also be explained in terms of thermal conductivity. They are
determined largely by the free electron. The electrons are moving slightly faster at the hot end
and slower at the colder end. The faster electron transmit energy to the cooler, slower ones by
colliding with them and just as for electrical conductivity, the longer the mean free path, the
faster the energy can be transmitted, i.e., the greater the thermal conductivity.
At a given temperature, the thermal and electrical conductivities of metals are
proportional, but raising the temperature increases the thermal conductivity while decreasing the
electrical conductivity. This behaviour is quantified in the Wiedemann-Franz Law.
/ = LT or L= / T
where,
= Thermal Conductivity
=Electrical conductivity
L= Lorenz number =2.45*10-8WK-2
To get a better result in this experiment, there are some precautions that we have to
observe. First, we need to make sure that the immersion heater used is not exposed to air for a
long time. Secondly, we have to always maintaining the minimum water level in the upper
calorimeter while maintaining the temperature at 100oC. For safety reason, we have to handle the
temperature probe carefully and do not bending the front portion too much to prevent damage.
Not only that, magnetic stirrer should be used for proper mixing.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, by doing this experiment, we finally can determine the thermal
conductivity of copper and aluminium in a constant temperature gradient from the
calorimertrically measured heat flow even though there were some error occurs in this
experiment. Not only that, we also have tested the electrical conductivity of copper and
aluminium by using the Wiedmann-Franz law. Therefore, the objectives of the experiment were
successfully achieved.
REFERENCE
http://www.slideshare.net/savedfiles?s_title=thermal-and-electrical-conductivity-ofmetals&user_login=krsuhas
http://www.electronics-cooling.com/2000/05/how-thermal-conductivity-relates-toelectrical-conductivity/
https://www.bluesea.com/resources/108
https://www.google.com/url?
sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=9&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CD8QFjAI&url=h
ttp%3A%2F%2Fwww6.kfupm.edu.sa%2Fheattransfer
%2Fexpt_8_conduction.pdf&ei=aBA5VY3GBMeUuASqiIHYBQ&usg=AFQjCNHIOlO
erMkpoNXd4FPxlmmpu4DVsQ&sig2=k1uUg2_rAMXNCtLgWX3mBQ&bvm=bv.9142
7555,d.c2E

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