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arXiv · 1106.2277

Experimental determination of heat capacities and their correlation with quantum predictions

Waqas Mahmood·Muhammad Sabieh Anwar·Wasif Zia
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Abstract

This article demonstrates an undergraduate experiment for the determination of specific heat capacities of various solids based on a calorimetric approach, where the solid vaporizes a measurable mass of liquid nitrogen. We demonstrate our technique for the metals copper and aluminum, the semi-metal graphite and also present the data in relation with Einstein's model of independent harmonic oscillators and the more accurate Debye model based on vibrational modes of a continuous crystal. Furthermore, we elucidate an interesting material property, the Verwey transition in magnetite occurring around 120-140 K. We also demonstrate that the use of computer based data acquisition and subsequent statistical averaging helps reduce measurement uncertainties.

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Waqas Mahmood, Muhammad Sabieh Anwar, Wasif Zia. 2011-06-12. Experimental determination of heat capacities and their correlation with quantum predictions. https://doi.org/10.1119/1.3625869

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