Joule's Experiment | Mechanical Equivalent of Heat

General Aim of Joule’s Experiment

1- Determine the value of the mechanical equivalent of heat coefficient through Joule's experiment.

2- Determine the value of coil resistance in the calorimeter virtual lab.

Method of Joule Experiment

Conversion of electrical energy into heat energy in Joule heating simulation.

Learning Objectives (ILOs)

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By the end of Joule’s experiment, the student should be able to:

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State the principle of conservation of energy.

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Identify which types of energy were involved in the Joule heating experiment.

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Recognize how energy conversion takes place from electrical energy into heat energy within joule's experiment in thermodynamics.

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Identify the different units used to measure energy in the calorimetry virtual lab.

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Determine the value of the mechanical equivalent of heat and the coil resistance in the virtual calorimetry lab.

Theoretical Background/Context

When an electrical current passes through a resistive element (coil), which is completely immersed in water, we can state Joule’s law of heating to explain the energy transformation.
Electrical energy is dissipated within the element that is transformed into heat energy.
This causes the temperature of the element to rise by an amount that is proportional to the time interval, voltage and the current passed through the element.
Applying the principle of conservation of energy, we can determine the mechanical equivalent of the heat coefficient and the resistance of the resistive element.

Principle of Work

In Joule's experiment, the following steps is implemented:

A certain amount of water is added to a calorimeter of known material and mass, as performed in the Joules calorimeter experiment.
A heater coil is inserted into water that is connected to a power supply, an ammeter, and a voltmeter. Measuring the initial temperature for water.
After switching on the power supply electrical energy introduced by the power supply is converted into heat energy that causes the rise in the temperature of water.
Waiting 15 minutes and switching off the power supply then watching the thermometer until it reaches the maximum value (final temperature).
By some calculations, we get the mechanical equivalent of heat and the coil resistance.

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Frequently Asked Questions

This document includes all what is needed to use/access the lab. Please check it out goo.gl/99EB8s

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Joule’s Experiment

Physics | Heat and Thermodynamic

As Featured In

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General Aim of Joule’s Experiment

Method of Joule Experiment

Learning Objectives (ILOs)

Theoretical Background/Context

Principle of Work

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What Professors Are Saying

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Joule’s Experiment

Physics | Heat and Thermodynamic

As Featured In

Millions of Users. Better Learning. Lower Costs

General Aim of Joule’s Experiment

Method of Joule Experiment

Learning Objectives (ILOs)

Theoretical Background/Context

Principle of Work

Trusted by Leading Universities & Institutions

What Professors Are Saying

Start the Way That Works Best for Your Institution

Globally Recognized for Transforming STEM Education

Discover More Virtual Labs to Power Your Curriculum

DNA Extraction

Agarose Gel Electrophoresis of DNA Fragments

RNA Extraction

First Strand cDNA Synthesis

DNA Extraction

Agarose Gel Electrophoresis of DNA Fragments

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I need to use/access the lab?

What happens if I get stuck during an experiment?

When are new experiments coming?

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