Home

Physics

Physics practicals

Investigating the specific latent heat of melting ice

Select Lesson

Exam Board

Select an option

Physics practicals

Investigating the specific heat capacity

Investigating the resistance of a length of wire

Investigating I-V characteristics

Investigating series and parallel circuits

Investigating the densities of solids and liquids

Investigating elasticity

Investigating force and acceleration

Investigating waves in different materials

Investigating infrared radiation

Magnetism and electromagnetism

Magnetism and magnetic fields

Electromagnetism and solenoids

Motor effect and electromagnetic induction - Higher

Waves

Waves: properties, types and equations

Refraction and ray diagrams

The electromagnetic spectrum

Uses of electromagnetic waves

Forces

Forces and vector diagrams

Resultant forces - Higher

Gravity and weight calculations

Elasticity and the spring constant

Speed, velocity and acceleration

Distance-time and velocity-time graphs

Newton's laws

Friction and terminal velocity

Stopping, thinking and braking distances

Momentum calculations - Higher

Atomic structure

The structure of the atom

Electron energy levels and ionisation

Isotopes and radioactive decay

Half-life and calculating radioactive decay

Irradiation and contamination

Particle model of matter

States of matter and changes of state

Temperature and pressure of gases

Calculating density

Specific latent heat

Electricity

Electrical charge and circuits

Potential difference and resistance

Components and circuit devices

Series circuits

Parallel circuits

Energy and power in circuits

Household electricity

The National Grid

Energy

Energy stores and transfers

Mechanical energy stores

Specific heat capacity

Calculating work done and power

Conduction and convection

Energy efficiency

Renewable and non-renewable resources

Working scientifically

The scientific method

Science communication and ethics

Evaluating risks and hazards

Collecting data

Processing and presenting data

Units and equations

Structuring a scientific report and drawing conclusions

Uncertainties and evaluations

Practical skills

Measuring techniques

Safety and ethics

Designing experiments

Methods of heating substances

Working with electronics

Random sampling and sampling methods

Comparing results using percentage change

Explainer Video

Tutor: Madeleine

Summary

Investigating the specific latent heat of melting ice

In a nutshell

By recording the temperature of ice melting, the specific latent heat of this process will be investigated. This is done by slowly heating the ice and recording the temperature, to plot a graph to analyse the energy supplied to the ice.

Equipment list

The following equipment list can be used to conduct the experiment to investigate specific latent heat.

Equipment	Use
Thermometer	To measure the temperature of the water and ice.
Digital balance	To measure the mass of the ice.
Stopwatch	To time the experiment.
Roughly $200\,g$ of crushed ice	To investigate specific latent heat.
Beaker	To hold the ice.
Bunsen burner	To provide thermal energy to melt the ice.
Tripod and gauze	To provide the set-up for the Bunsen burner.

Experimental variables

The independent variable is the variable you change. The dependent variable is the variable that changes depending on the other variables, and is the one you measure. The control variables are the variables that are kept constant.

Independent Variable	$Time$
Dependent Variable	$Temperature$
Control Variables	$Ice,\ current\ supplied,\ potential\ difference\ supplied$

Safety precautions

When performing experiments, it is very important to consider safety precautions. This is so that no one gets hurt or injured during the experiment.

Hazard	Risk	Safety Measure
Heater	Touching the Bunsen burner whilst it is on or just after it is switched off could result in burns.	Don't touch the heater whilst it is still hot. If burnt, run the burn under cold running water for five minutes.
Hot equipment	The equipment (Bunsen burner, beaker, etc) will remain hot for a while after it has been used.	Don't pack away immediately, wait until the equipment has cooled.
Gas	Gas could leak from the Bunsen burner connection which could be set alight resulting in a fire.	Make sure the connection to the gas tap is secure. Don't turn on the tap until needed for use.
Bunsen burner	The Bunsen burner uses a flame which could cause burns or set clothing on fire.	Only switch on once the Bunsen burner has been set up with the tripod and gauze. Tie hair back and stand up during the experiment. If burnt, run the burn under cold running water for five minutes.

Method

These are the instructions to complete the experiment. Record all measurements taken as you work through the experiment in a table.

Physics; Physics practicals; KS4 Year 10; Investigating the specific latent heat of melting ice

1.	Thermometer
2.	Beaker
3.	Crushed ice
4.	Tripod and gauze
5.	Bunsen burner
6.	Heatproof mat
7.	Stopwatch

1.	Set up the apparatus as shown in the diagram. The beaker should be filled half-way with ice.
2.	Switch on the Bunsen burner and slowly start to heat the ice.
3.	Take regular measurements of the temperature of the ice using the thermometer. Tip: Take the measurements at eye-level to avoid parallax error!
4.	Continue this until the substance has fully changed state.

Analysis

This is how you will use the data recorded to form conclusions.

1.	Plot a graph of temperature ( $y$ -axis) against time ( $x$ -axis).
2.	Compare the results of your graph with known theory. The temperature of the ice should not change whilst the ice is melting.

Conclusion

A.	Temperature of the ice-water solution ( $\degree C$ )
B.	Time ( $s$ )
1.	Solid
2.	Melting
3.	Liquid

The graph from the measured values of the experiment should look similar to this. It should show that the temperature of the ice during the transition between ice and water does not change. However, the temperatures when the ice isn't melting and when it has fully changed to water should change linearly.

Evaluation

Once you have completed your experiment, it is important to consider how it could be improved. You should come up with ways to improve the accuracy of your values. If you got a result that seems unreasonable, think about why this was.

Learn with Basics

Length:

Unit 1

Specific heat capacity

Unit 2

Specific latent heat

Jump Ahead

Optional

Unit 3