Specific heat capacity — Describe

Describe experiments to measure the specific heat capacity of a solid and of a liquid.

Solid: an electrical heater and a thermometer are inserted into holes in a known mass (m) of the solid (e.g. a metal block). The heater is switched on for a measured time (t) with known current (I) and voltage (V), supplying electrical energy E = IVt; the temperature rise Δθ is measured, and c = E / (mΔθ). Liquid: a known mass of liquid is placed in an insulated container with an immersion heater and thermometer, stirred to ensure even heating, and heated for a measured time; the same equation c = E / (mΔθ) is used with the mass and temperature rise of the liquid. Insulation around the apparatus reduces heat loss to the surroundings, improving accuracy.