PHYSICS LAB MANUALS

Thermal Conductivity of a Good Conductor - Searle's Method

  1. Using Vernier calipers, measure the diameter of the conducting bar D and distance d between the thermometers \(T_1\) and \(T_2\) before and after the experiment.

  2. Adjust the constant-head device to give a steady flow of water through the coiled tube.

  3. During this process keep removing the water continuously to avoid spillage and overflow.

  4. Pass steam from the steam generator through the steam chest. Check the continuity of the

  5. liquid column and the linear behavior of the thermometers before beginning the experiment.

  6. Wait until all the thermometers have reached a steady state (i.e. no significant increase or reduction of temperature for 5 to 10 minutes).

  7. Measure \(T_1\), \(T_2\), \(T_3\) and \(T_4\).

  8. Measure the mass of the calorimeter and stirrer. Let this be m1 grams.

  9. In the calorimeter collect the water flowing out of the coiled copper tube for a time ‘t’ seconds (approximately 60 to 120 seconds) measured using stop watch.

  10. Measure the mass of the calorimeter and the stirrer together with the water collected in step 5 above. Let this be m2 grams.

The physical quantities need to be measured in this experiment – Mass, Area, Time and Temperature. Make the following table –

Table II: The details of the physical quantities to be measured.

S.No

Physical quantity

Independent /

Dependent

Measured

with

Measuring instrument’s

Minimum

Maximum

Least count

1

Pressure






2

Volume






Tabulate the Data Recorded

Time(s)

\(T_3\)-\(T_4\)(°C)

\(M_t=M_w+M_g\)

\(M_tT_3\)-\(T_4\))

A\((\frac{dt}{dx}\))t

K (\(\frac{W}{m}\) K)