Question 23M.3.HL.TZ2.2
Date | May 2023 | Marks available | [Maximum mark: 4] | Reference code | 23M.3.HL.TZ2.2 |
Level | HL | Paper | 3 | Time zone | TZ2 |
Command term | Discuss, State, Suggest | Question number | 2 | Adapted from | N/A |
A student conducts an experiment to determine the specific heat capacity of a metal cube. The cube is heated in a beaker of boiling water to a temperature of 100 °C and then quickly transferred into an insulated vessel of negligible thermal capacity. The vessel contains water at 20 °C and of known specific heat capacity.
State one other measurement that the student will need to make.
[1]
final temperature of equilibrium/water/cube OR mass of water/cube ✓
Do not award mark if any additional incorrect measurement is included
Accept temperature change if water or cube specified

Suggest one modification that the student can make to reduce the fractional uncertainty for the change in temperature of the metal cube.
[1]
smaller mass of cube OR hotter cube OR more mass of water OR colder water OR more precise thermometer ✓
Accept reference to repeating the experiment and taking mean values.
Accept any reasonable answer that increases change in temperature of the cube.
Do not accept more accurate thermometer

Some water from the beaker is accidentally transferred with the cube.
Discuss how this will affect the value of the calculated specific heat capacity of the cube.
[2]
cube specific heat will be too large/increased value/overestimate ✓
additional «thermal» energy transferred
OR
temperature rise of water will be larger
OR
temperature drop of cube will be smaller ✓
