MEASUREMENTS OF THERMAL ENERGY

Thermal energy refers to type of energy that relates to the heat or caused by heat. When one boil a utensil of water, thermal energy is applied at the bottom of the utensil then transferred to the water inside the utensil causing the water molecule to move faster and get hot.
Measurement of thermal energy involves indirect measurement of molecule kinetic energy which in total makes the heat content of an object.
We have already seen that heat is a form of energy transferred between bodies due to difference in temperature between them.
The heat required to raise the temperature of 1Kg of water through one degree is approximately 4.2 Joule.
The energy is possessed by the body due to its temperature is called internal thermal energy or heat content.
The heat content of a substance of an object due to random motion of the particles make up an object.
THE HEAT CONTENT OF A SUBSTANCE
The following are the factors which affect the amount of heat supplied to or taken away from a body.
  1. The mass
The amount of heat is directly proportional the mass of a body.
QM
Q=kM
  1. Temperature different
The amount of heat is directly proportional to the temperature change.
Qθ
  1. Thermal property
The amount of heat depends on the thermal property of the body.
Note: when a quantity of heat is supplied to different bodies of equal masses, it will not cause the same temperature rise, this shows that each body has its own thermal property i.e. heat capacity.
HEAT CAPACITY
Is the amount of heat required or needed by a body to raise its temperature by one 1K.
The SI Unit of heat capacity is J/ K.
The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of a unity mass by 1K , is called Specific Heat Capacity (a unit mass =1Kg)
HEAT EQUATION
Using the factors affecting the amount of heat supplied to or taken away from a body is discussed above, QMΔθ
Q
Q=kMθ
But, k is a constant known as specific heat capacity, C
Therefore;
Q=CMθ
Q=MCθ → Heat formula / equation
Whereby:
Q → Quantity of heat applied or lost
M → Mass of a substance
C → Specific heat capacity of a substance
θ → Temperature change (θ21).
The SI unit of specific heat capacity
6mEjbbdeLrnfzPUNWSo3CQgmBQuVXmII Wa3OvJrJGBmjZqkOBpbAmZzS7h7Pjw4Wn Osi7CUe5qnNORrqLX MxOzyuCLd6GWd2ljwAly6dHcvWe2znFGdyQSQbmq C4OepxHFY
The SI unit is J/KgK.
Specific Heat Capacities of a new Substances
Substance
J/kgK
J/gK
Water
4200
4.2
Alcohol
2500
2.5
Ice
2100
2.1
Steel
460
0.46
Mercury
130
0.13
Copper
390
0.39
Brass
320
0.32
Example
1. Water of mass 3kg is heated from 260C to 960C. Find the amount of heat supplied to water. Given that the specific capacity of water is 4200 J/kgºC
DATA GIVEN
M =3 Kg
Δθ = 960C – 260C
= 700C
C = 4200
Q=McΔθ
Q=3×4200×70
Q=882000J
The amount of heat supplied is 882000J or 882KJ

2. How much heat is required to raise the temperature of sample of mercury from 200C to 300C. Take the specific heat capacity of mercury as 1395 J/KgK.
OebgdmK24fQFfoPQiHLY1dTrxQTMKmvTnMlus R0lP6XMBa8TGBdBb VSp CBfMgleKUHbsU H4Znig9TurEMkPrDMKibr6GdEY0Xo7HxKNBGDqReB3VZh1yWke9hES9OsG6E10
The heat required is 348750 J
EXPERIMENT:I

Determination of the specific heat capacity of a solid substance by mixture method

Requirements
  • Calorimeter (made of copper and Aluminum)
  • An insulating cover
  • Thermometer
  • Stirrer (same nature as the calorimeter)
  • Solid substance
  • Beam balance
  • Heat source and beaker
Procedure
  1. Measure and record the mass of the calorimeter and the stirrers (Mc).
  2. Put water into the calorimeter and then put it in its jacket and cover.
  3. Record the temperature of the water (θi).
  4. Boil water in a beaker.
  5. Tie a solid substance of known mass (Ms) with a thin thread and place it in hot water in the beaker for a certain length of time .
  6. Remove the solid quickly and wipe it with a dry cloth and place it in a calorimeter.
  7. Replace the cover and stir gently until the temperature is steady.
  8. Read and record thus steady temperature (θf).

ZDwfWEqFfTc6 YTjjWAN98CIK 6ltoNL2u5ZvooMSbgc LpLqZIt0FXH62lQ6MuQdHkn5MCqbAT 8izwx7P RPDr4tc Sj VUCZehyfsTQNpU1D9xjUVCxDKiy9dzqrJxc15E G
Heat loss by the solid substance = heat gained by water + heat gained by calorimeter
LET; Qs = heat loss by the solid
Qs = Qw + Qc
Where; Qw = heat gained by water
Qc = heat gained by calorimeter
Given that
Qs = MsCsΔθs
Qs = MsCss – θf)
Qw = MwCwΔθw
Where; Qw = heat gained by water
Mw = mass of water
Δθw = change in temperature of calorimeter
Qw = MwCwf – θi)
Qc = McCcΔθc
Where; Qc = heat gained by calorimeter
Mc = mass of calorimeter
Δθc = change in temperature of calorimeter
Qc = McCcf – θi)
MsCss – θf) = MwCwf – θi) + McCcf – θi)

ZahNHWr9xymPfFLK2Mx7tNoPujjMqKVj3116sTIZCDw43mME83eHlRanR0fFHxo95iN5L3W1sjtCqzfRTrMnyIPzTe2 RDdQ LFIYizelXP03qwQjfTW2uCL L KXZJAgwQ8R0
Note: The solid should be transferred quickly in order to minimize heat losses to the environment.
EXPERIMENT: II
Determination of specific heat capacity liquid by mixture
Like in the experiment above, but instead of water we have another liquid. The specific heat capacity can be calculated as follows.
Heat loss by substance = heat gained by liquid + heat gained by liquid calorimeter
Given That;
Qs = MsCsΔθs
Qs = MsCss – θf)
QL = MLCLΔθL
QL= MLCLf – θi)
Qc = McCcΔθc
Qc = McCcf – θi)
Therefore;
LdRGmcoZbaz7ZMW21DXEglxPrweo8g2Mq BcpIQOF8Tnfg4h4 Agr C8x2A1107Dffrr5s3MnFp5IE7cvsWjI6mNWuawbGzeS6jrSVSXUuEzYkO3SBgh0SAdumZSlrHEfiK1F1U
CHANGE OF STATES
When heat is applied to a substance, a change of state may take place. The reverse change of state takes place on cooling.
The change of state from solid to liquid takes place at a constant temperature known as melting point.
Boiling and evaporation are terms used to describe the change from liquid to vapour (gas)
Evaporation
This is a slow process which occurs at all temperature and takes place only at the surface of the liquid.
V X57hQKv6 UFbzpJG WSyg7H8LGuCEQbGyQk6 A3qr 1o10ZaALZr6vAd1Bbazu1y3uOtiBs KXauNl3l5Qp CnI0CQDVeE43jwkleOrMF5kGWKgtgcSi81W HgURBYFqy1SLQ
Boiling Point
This is the temperature at which all of a liquid changes into gas.This takes place when the bubbles of vapour. The temperature at which boiling takes place is called as Boiling point.
Freezing point
This is the temperature at which a liquid changes into a solid without change in temperature. The freezing point of a substance is the same as its melting point.
LATENT HEAT
Consider a block of ice which is cooled by a freezing mixture to -100C and then heated steady: at first the ice which has a specific heat capacity of 2100J/kg0C rises in temperature to 00C , it then changes into water (liquid) at the temperature 00C. Since the temperature is not changing and the state is changing the heat needed to change a solid ice to a liquid water is called LATENT HEAT
When the water formed from ice is heated further its temperature rises until it reaches about 100 0C. Here it begins to change into vapour or gas at constant temperature 1000C the heat needed is again latent heat (hidden).

Yiszbe IMUzbXNd MvRUoeKHpQ756IFNIjo0bs7lmPZzbHTNs9kxfB7otH36G X71Mwq4Gbo7N1q1E2qFTZnHl4c1z6nmG4SIgg0hCjN8Zm5vm2UFM4Cw8p L5pXJOfq631xk W
NOTE:
1. Latent heat of a substance
This is the quantity of heat needed by a given mass of a substance to change the state without change in Temperature.

2. Specific latent heat of a substance
This is the quantity of heat needed to change a state of a unit mass without change in temperature, it is denoted by L.
L=Q/M
Q=ML
Its SI Unit is J/Kg

3. Specific latent heat of fusion
This is the quantity of heat needed to change the state of a unit mass of solid to liquid without change in temperature.

Ve2xayMlaGs9Yf0juyUHsWRSBGKIhw75HvkxqJcnp YJ P0Ec5vuKxaNaQCMoUpOvA5HPjYMBZh5JQLAe0bLJJtGIpMLbGrwAxtd9VowUQ6QCgZL4PUE8MHtP1HnoDYPcAz8cdA

4. Specific latent heat of vaporization.
This is the quantity of heat needed to change the state of count mass of liquid to vapour without change in temperature.

Specific latent heat of solidification.
This is the quantity of heat needed to change the state of a unit mass of liquid to solid without change in temperature. Q=MLV
7RYyRZeGj3Dr5OzrRMD24dfKhz2Cga88Mi0zieRusFtmC7Ov4U1FxsrabWQztdN UcuDHzzNTXx VHj1l CuJBaUfxdGkfkWSDKpv5dCPCXW2xnK Y8o2LhhBqyrr250WBjGCjE


5. Specific latent heat of liquidifications
This is the quantity of heat needed to change the state of a unit mass from to liquid without temperature change.

2DN91IrU3aLV I1MtrOGaN9QLLg7ufmYAXdoiFoj4sMXTqH 33en UEYnVl2WZpqfljOrzwbTnTgzMwiBx4yWkC6XyCmCX F P4z2bKiS 2G5AinwOBZomhIl PrdCNqBaPplQ
GRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION OF CHANGE OF STATE
9VpUzj3f PSFu937O6dmEIxu6LKxMPeAe1nzmo8okBijPmWdrk2Bl L02dto4QIYdpRFvKPIe0TJ6WUEWCK4hcB789hwkiJ7XV2iSKiWf9xrTmoT9eC W COpwIbkR4MypJ4Peg

Example
  1. 8g of ice at 0oCis heated so that it forms water at 10oC. Calculate the total quantity of heat required to do so given that the Specific Heat Capacity of water 4200 J/KgK. The specific latent heat of fusion of ice is 334000J/KgK.
RfZV7wR4rmaJLjR4ty0fbJajjuv4N8CDwAV2K R9VlETf8aK9gwvdk9kSrjHDa0VrazPp9DqK9JOgYJ NQAo VnmBitnCDkO IekVPtDZr1X64HYVB11nGLssHjuBwneMXeRpTM
U2OxA5KKKb7 WLFZSJ2JGLrHmhXLY4JBJPBzKhm5OKjA FmOuL9cbo1TnBFy W5zPt8As0xYOl9D713rWAchp3UGilwj6bcVw01X KJw9fC82yXCevhujQu3Fs0lSWmD1KiKDf4

2. The Specific Latent Heat of vaporization of liquid is 2260000J/kg, Specific Latent Heat of fusion of ice is 334000J/kg, the Specific Heat Capacity of ice is 2100J/kgK, Specific Heat Capacity of water 4200J/kgK, calculate the heat required to convert 2kg if ice at -120C to steam at 1000C.
Lwkou Cybdtn0GzplJesDxpsuYANLPD0gif1meMZRqu5 YzeOfa7 QycGLpfGTsQ942Eit7NdpSPnjSlqCM3poLixI531J2us6Z9tL AAxEkjie4zMvl51Ig8ZH56d4TiC5nav4
QT = Q1 + Q2 + Q3 + Q4
QT = MCθ + MLf + MCθ + MLv
QT = (2×2100 × 12) + (2×33400) + (2×4200×100) + (2×2260000)
QT = 50400 + 66800+ 840000+ 4520000
QT = 5477200J

Therefore; the heat required to convert 2kg of ice to steam is 5477200J


3. A refrigerator can convert 400g of water at 200C to ice at -100C in 3hrs. Find the average rate of heat extraction from water in J/sec given that the Specific Heat Capacity is 4200J/kgK. The Specific Heat Capacity of fusion of ice is 336000J/kg. The Specific Heat Capacity of ice is 2100J/kgK.
CrjD F5exdd DRXUGZpJh2gzf3D5 VIOSto83XwkYJ9Wl NK0HzPADe1qBWbfRXgpp8Q7Kf8bMNBFaX33SkJ Wimdj4bYkGEn PojVb2um8StiTjC28xkTVS4fgJL9j1Natgwlo

RWb1d SqbQQdK1 UUqgEwtrKXAOh2dw9BzpYoqcAuIvyxZwbf1LdvBoBmTXRdHJ4UaO8FrO2z0D89F76hoK0WmMR0bQm7cSiYa392kBmAGU6GFxhX4JeFGL1KlL6yXrC1jqDp4k
power =16.3 watt

The average rate of heat extract
ion is 16.3 watt




');}
Bc0138c3d2dab0944d91d638547c2715

subscriber

7 Comments

  • 2e029d3a664d4ba675c4a1918b1faca3

    LENZY, May 8, 2026 @ 12:04 pmReply

    I really appreciate this page. I’m really greatful for this

  • 62b0ba6c34efe43009543ded12d437d0

    TAREMWA ELIJAH, December 14, 2025 @ 10:50 amReply

    Nice

  • A925d3d0468d302d6b5503e35e902b0b

    Lavie, May 2, 2025 @ 11:26 amReply

    Am still n’t understanding how the notes are

  • C455ac3d93e65a86da7db16daac8e97c

    Rk, September 14, 2024 @ 5:06 amReply

    I like this notes

  • 859767924542388a4be599fd7caa5877

    Khoanq Them, June 17, 2024 @ 9:25 pmReply

    It’s my pleasure to received this app

  • B715a0e832a9e916af30386b38e0b5ee

    Madaada Isaac, May 31, 2024 @ 4:18 pmReply

    Thanks again

  • F6fb50480615aff3d93c5e376bf82288

    Chumax Denikhan, February 16, 2024 @ 11:29 pmReply

    Thanks for letting me know

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Accept Our Privacy Terms.*