Finding the SHC of copper coins by a heat transfer method

 

We weighed ten 2p pieces. We got two polystyrene cups. We labelled them A and B. We put the coins into B. We measured 60 cubic centimetres of cold water into each and marked the level. We emptied the water and then added fresh boiling water from a kettle up to the mark. A is a control that tells us what the water temperature would be without the coins. When A reaches the highest temperature, take temperature in B as well. The difference is delta(theta) for the water. Calculate energy transferred to the coins from the water by 0.060kg x 4200 J/kgoC x delta(theta). This is the energy used to heat the coins up from room temperature, which also needs to be measured. Mass of coins in kg x unknown SHC x temp rise of coins = energy that went out of the water.