SURFACE AREA AND COOLING INVESTIGATION

Aim:

To see how the rate at which a container of water cools depends on the surface area of the water

exposed to the air

Risk Assessment:

Hot water can scald. Care must be taken not to spill the hot water. Stand during the

experiment to ensure it is easy to step back and away from the hazard.

Equipment:

Different sized glass beakers with different surface areas

Measuring cylinder

Thermometer

Stop clock

Kettle to heat water

Method:

1. Collect the beakers of different sizes and record the surface area of each

2. Put a specific volume of hot water into the largest beaker

3. Measure and record the starting temperature of the water

4. Measure and record the temperature of the water after 10 minutes

5. Repeat the method for the other 4 beakers ensuring that the starting temperature is always

the same as your first beaker.

6. Work out the change in temperature for each beaker (end temp – start temp)