PASCO ET-8499 Energy Transfer Calorimeter - Manual (Page 7)

Model No. ET-8499 Electrical Equivalent of Heat
5 ®
Activity 1:
Electrical Equivalent of Heat
This is the classic experiment where electrical energy (provided by an external power supply) is
converted to thermal energy in a container of water. This experiment is described in detail in the
electronic workbook "Electrical Equivalent of Heat" included on the experiment setup CD.
Students use a hand cranked generator and the calorimeter with heating resistor, to raise the
temperature of the water in the cup by several degrees C. The electrical energy added to the
system is compared to the resulting increase in thermal energy of the water and the inner
calorimeter cup.
The workbook is written utilizing computer probeware, but a traditional approach is also possible.
If a power supply is used, the current and voltage change so little during the experiment that a
standard multimeter will suffice to determine the input energy, and a glass thermometer can easily
be used to measure the change in temperature.
Equipment Required
Calorimeter with heating resistor
Hand-cranked generator
Water