Steam Heater to Heat Lead Shots
Product Code : SCL-MH-11426
Description:
The Educational Instruments Copper Steam Heater is a high-precision piece of Physics Science educational laboratory equipment designed for accurate thermal physics experiments. Constructed from pure, highly conductive copper, this 1-litre apparatus uses the principle of steam circulation to heat solid samples, such as lead shots or other metallic samples, to a uniform and known temperature. This method ensures efficient heat transfer without the direct use of a flame, making it an essential and safe component for calorimetry and the determination of specific heat capacity.
Product Usage:
The Steam Heater is fundamental to accurately preparing samples for the classic Specific Heat Capacity experiment. Its primary role is to ensure the metal sample (often lead shots) is heated to the temperature of the boiling steam (approximately 100 degrees Celsius at standard atmospheric pressure) before being quickly transferred to a calorimeter.
Key steps in its application:
Uniform Heating: Steam, generated from an external source (like a steam generator or boiler), is passed into the copper chamber through the inlet tube, enveloping the metal samples inside.
Temperature Control: The sample is held at the temperature of the steam until thermal equilibrium is reached, providing a precise starting temperature for the heat transfer calculation.
Specific Heat Determination: Once heated, the metal is quickly moved to a known mass of water in an insulated calorimeter. The subsequent temperature change of the water allows students to calculate the metal's specific heat capacity using the principle of conservation of energy.
The copper construction is critical because copper has high thermal conductivity, ensuring that the heat from the steam is rapidly and evenly transferred to the samples inside.3
Educational Applications & Learning Goals:
This Steam Heater is an indispensable tool supporting hands-on learning in Thermodynamics and Thermal Physics:
Specific Heat Capacity: A core experiment to determine and compare the specific heat of various solid materials.
Heat Transfer Principles: Demonstrating the mechanism of conduction (through the copper) and convection (via the steam).
Thermal Equilibrium: Illustrating how an object reaches the temperature of its surroundings (the steam).
Calorimetry: Serving as the preparation stage for accurate calorimetry experiments, reinforcing the principle of conservation of energy.
Specifications & Features:
Material: Pure Copper Body (High Thermal Conductivity)
Capacity: 1 Litre Chamber Volume
Heating Medium: Circulating Steam
Design: Fitted with Inlet/Outlet Tubes
Usage: Preparation of samples for Calorimetry
Benefits:
Ensures rapid and efficient heat transfer from steam to sample, minimizing experiment time.
Accommodates a sufficient quantity of samples (e.g., lead shots, metal pieces) for experiments.
Provides a uniform, precise, and safe heating temperature (e.g., 100 degrees Celsius).
Allows for continuous steam flow and safe, controlled operation.
Essential tool for accurate measurement of Specific Heat Capacity.
