Class: Name: ( ) Date: Experiment 3b

3b Measuring the specific latent heat of

fusion of ice

Objective
To measure the specific latent heat of fusion of ice.

Background information
The specific latent heat of fusion lf of a substance is the energy needed
to change 1 kg of the substance from solid to liquid without a change in
Q
temperature. It is given by the equation: lf = .
m

Apparatus
❏ crushed ice ❏ 2 funnels
❏ 2 low voltage immersion heaters ❏ 2 small pieces of wire gauze
(50 W 12 V) ❏ 2 beakers of the same mass
❏ 1 power pack (0–12 V a.c./d.c.) ❏ 1 retort stand and 2 clamps
❏ 1 joulemeter ❏ 1 electronic balance

Procedure
Precaution 1 Set up the apparatus as shown in Figure 3b-1 on p.22:
1 Ice is crushed to
increase the contact
(a) Place a smal piece of wire gauze at the neck of two funnels.
area with heater.
(b) Fill the funnels with crushed melting ice. Measure the mass of
2 Melting ice is used so
that its temperature each funnel to ensure the mass of ice in each funnel is roughly
is 0 °C and no energy
is needed to raise its
the same.
temperature before
melting.
(c) Insert an immersion heater into the ice of each funnel. Connect
3 The small pieces of one of the heaters to the power supply through a joulemeter.
wire gauze prevent
the crushed ice from (d) Pack the ice so that the drip rates of water from the two funnels
dropping from the are steady and about the same.
funnels directly.
✎ What is the purpose of the control apparatus?

This is to account for the ice melted at room temperature.

New Physics at Work (Second Edition) © Oxford University Press 2007 21

 Experiment 3b Class: Name: ( ) Date:

Do not touch the heating

part of the heater until it
has cooled down.

control experimental
apparatus apparatus

immersion
heater
joulemeter

crushed
ice

Precaution
to 12 V a.c.
power supply
Insert the heating part Fig 3b-1
of the heater totally into
the ice. This maximizes
the energy transfer to 2 (a) Record the initial joulemeter reading.
the ice and avoids the
heater from overheating. (b) Place a beaker underneath each funnel. Switch on the heater.

Precaution
This allows time for the
energy to be conducted
from the heater to the
ice.
3 (a) After about 5 minutes, switch off the heater. Wait until the drip
rates of water from the two funnels are steady and about the
same.
(b) Remove the two beakers and measure the mass of them with
water.
(c) Record the final joulemeter reading.

4 Record the results below and calculate the specific latent heat of
✎ Results:
✐ It is very difficult to
maintain a true ‘control’ for
the experimental beaker.
fusion of ice.
Mass of experimental beaker with water 0.050
m1 = __________ kg
Mass of control beaker with water 0.014
m2 = __________ kg
Mass of ice melted by heater 0.036
m = m1 – m2 = __________ kg
Initial joulemeter reading 15 000
J1 = __________ J
Final joulemeter reading 29 200
J2 = __________ J
Energy supplied by heater 14 200
Q = J2 – J1 = __________ J
Q 3.94 × 105 J kg–1
⇒ Specific latent heat of fusion of ice lf = = __________
m

22 New Physics at Work (Second Edition) © Oxford University Press 2007

Class: Name: ( ) Date: Experiment 3b

Discussion
✐ The possible sources ✎ Compare the measured value of the specific latent heat of fusion of
of error should match ice with the standard value, 3.34 × 105 J kg–1. What are the possible
the measured value of lf.
sources of error in this experiment?

The measured value is higher than the standard value.

It is difficult to keep the water dripping down the funnels at the same rate. Energy is

lost to the surroundings.

1 The specific latent heat of fusion of ice is the energy needed to

ice
change 1 kg of ______________________ water
to _____________________
without a change in temperature.

2 The standard value of the specific latent heat of fusion of ice

5
3.34 × 10
is _____________________ J kg–1.

Further thinking
✎ If this experiment is repeated without setting up the control apparatus,
how will the measured value of the specific latent heat of fusion of
ice be affected? Explain your answer.

The measured value will be smaller.

Without the control apparatus, the mass of ice melted by the energy from

surroundings is included in calculating the specific latent heat.

Q
By lf = , as m becomes larger (extra mass is included), lf will become smaller.
m

✎ Is it necessary to wrap the two funnels in insulating material? Explain

your answer.

It is not necessary.
✐ However, the
control apparatus
The control apparatus has already eliminated the effect of energy gained from the
cannot eliminate the
effect of energy loss
from the heater to the surroundings by the ice.
surroundings.

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