Question

If my thermometer reads 10 degrees Celsius lower that it should, what effect will that have on my calculation of the specific heat of metal?

Answer 1

Let's assume that there is a malfunction with the thermoter. The thermoter starts giving an incoorect value. The reading obtained is lower from the actual value, i.e. when the right temperature is , the thermometer will give the reading as instead of .

The calculation of the specific heat of the metal will remain unaffected. This is because

Specific heat of a metal =

Energy and mass remain unaffected by the incorrect value of thermometer.

represents the change in temperature.

= Final temperature - Initial temperature

Let's say the final temperature is and thermometer reads . The initial temperature is and thermometer reads .

Hence,

Correct final temp = and initial temp = .

Incorrect thermometer reading final temperature = and initial temperature =

We can clearly see that the difference, i.e. Final temperature - Initial temperature = .

Since, remains same in both cases, hence, thermometer reading will not have any affect on calculation of specific heat of metal.