Latent Heat of Vaporisation Calorimetry: Advanced Thermal Practicals for H2 Physics
Download printable cheat-sheet (CC-BY 4.0)19 Sep 2025, 00:00 Z
Join our Telegram study groupQ: What does Latent Heat of Vaporisation Calorimetry: Advanced Thermal Practicals for H2 Physics cover?
A: Compare steady-state steam calorimetry with electrical heating, quantify latent heat.
TL;DR
Feed dry steam into an insulated calorimeter, log mass gain and temperature rise in real time, and compute latent heat using spreadsheet energy balances.
Cross-check the result against an electrical heating run to expose systematic errors like steam quality and heat loss.
The experiment deepens thermal physics understanding and equips students with the uncertainty commentary SEAB expects for Paper 4.
Why Latent Heat Deserves a Fresh Look
- Thermal physics (phase change, energy transfer, first law) sits in SEAB H2 Physics 9478 (exams from 2026) and is assessed across theory and practical components.
- Calorimetry forces candidates to handle mass measurements, condensation control, and explicit energy balances—skills Paper 4 expects alongside data processing and uncertainty commentary.
- The investigation doubles as a mini research project for scholarship portfolios and Olympiad personal statements.
Apparatus Overview
| Item | Notes |
| Steam generator or electric kettle with silicone tubing | Provides a steady flow of near-100 °C steam. |
| Insulated calorimeter with lid (polystyrene + cork) | Minimises heat exchange with surroundings. |
| Precision balance (±0.01 g) | Tracks water mass gain as steam condenses. |
| Digital temperature probe (thermistor or thermocouple) | Sample at 1 Hz for real-time plotting. |
| Arduino or data logger | Automate mass and temperature capture for uncertainty analysis. |
