Hypothesis: The hypothesis is that sand will heat and cool more quickly than the same amount of water placed under the same conditions. This is because water has a higher specific heat capacity (4.18 J/g°C) compared to sand’s specific heat capacity (0.29 J/g°C). The specific heat capacity is how much heat energy it takes to change the temperature of the material one degree. Since water has a higher specific heat capacity it will take more heat energy and a longer amount of time to heat and cool.
Experiment: “See lab sheet.” The control group was air. The air was the control group because it could be used for a comparison with water and sand and provide a basis for the experiment to determine whether or not the amount of time with the heat lamp on affected the results of the experiment. The independent variable was the amount of time with the heat lamp on or off, which was the source of heat. The dependent variable was the temperature of the air, water and …show more content…
Air had a starting temperature of 25°C. Air’s temperature increased 16°C and reached a temperature of 41°C in 30 minutes with the heat lamp on. Air’s temperature cooled 16°C with a final temperature of 25°C in 30 minutes with the heat lamp off. Water’s temperature changed the least, it started at 22°C and increased 2°C reaching a temperature of 24°C in 30 minutes. Water’s temperature cooled 1°C with a final temperature of 23°C in 30 minutes. Sand started at a temperature of 24°C. Sand’s temperature increased 10°C and reached a temperature of 34°C in 30 minutes with the heat lamp on. Sand’s temperature cooled 7°C with a final temperature of 27°C with the heat lamp off. From the two materials questioned, sand and water, sand’s temperature increased 8°C more than water in 30 minutes with the heat lamp on. Sand’s temperature also cooled 6°C more in 30 minutes with the heat lamp