56 Thermometry, Thermal Expansion and Caloriemetry

12.1 Heat.
The energy associated with configuration and random motion of the atoms and molecules with in a body is
called internal energy and the part of this internal energy which is transferred from one body to the other due to
temperature difference is called heat.
(1) As it is a type of energy, it is a scalar.

(2) Dimension : [ML2 T 2 ] .

(3) Units : Joule (S.I.) and calorie (Practical unit)
One calorie is defined as the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of one gm of water
through 1°C (more specifically from 14.5oC to 15.5°C).
(4) As heat is a form of energy it can be transformed into others and vice-versa.
e.g. Thermocouple converts heat energy into electrical energy, resistor converts electrical energy into heat energy.
Friction converts mechanical energy into heat energy. Heat engine converts heat energy into mechanical energy.
Here it is important that whole of mechanical energy i.e. work can be converted into heat but whole of heat
can never be converted into work.
(5) When mechanical energy (work) is converted into heat, the ratio of work done (W) to heat produced (Q)
always remains the same and constant, represented by J.
W
J or W = JQ
Q
J is called mechanical equivalent of heat and has value 4.2 J/cal. J is not a physical quantity but a conversion
factor which merely express the equivalence between Joule and calories.
1 calorie = 4.186 Joule ≃ 4.12 Joule

(6) Work is the transfer of mechanical energy irrespective of temperature difference, whereas heat is the
transfer of thermal energy because of temperature difference only.
(7) Generally, the temperature of a body rises when heat is supplied to it. However the following two
situations are also found to exist.
(i) When heat is supplied to a body either at its melting point or boiling point, the temperature of the body
does not change. In this situation, heat supplied to the body is used up in changing its state.
(ii) When the liquid in a thermos flask is vigorously shaken or gas in a cylinder is suddenly compressed, the
temperature of liquid or gas gets raised even without supplying heat. In this situation, work done on the system
becomes a source of heat energy.
 Thermometry, Thermal Expansion and Caloriemetry 57

(8) The heat lost or gained by a system depends not only on the initial and final states, but also on the path
taken up by the process i.e. heat is a path dependent and is taken to be positive if the system absorbs it and
negative if releases it.
12.2 Temperature.
Temperature is defined as the degree of hotness or coldness of a body. The natural flow of heat is from higher
temperature to lower temperature.
Two bodies are said to be in thermal equilibrium with each other, when no heat flows from one body to the
other. That is when both the bodies are at the same temperature.

(1) Temperature is one of the seven fundamental quantities with dimension [  ].

(2) It is a scalar physical quantity with S.I. unit kelvin.
(3) When heat is given to a body and its state does not change, the temperature of the body rises and if heat is
taken from a body its temperature falls i.e. temperature can be regarded as the effect of cause “heat”.
(4) According to kinetic theory of gases, temperature (macroscopic physical quantity) is a measure of average
translational kinetic energy of a molecule (microscopic physical quantity).

 3 
Temperature  kinetic energy  As E  2 RT 
 
(5) Although the temperature of a body can to be raised without limit, it cannot be lowered without limit and
theoretically limiting low temperature is taken to be zero of the kelvin scale.
(6) Highest possible temperature achieved in laboratory is about 108K while lowest possible temperature
attained is 10–8 K.
(7) Branch of physics dealing with production and measurement of temperatures close to 0K is known as
cryogenics while that dealing with the measurement of very high temperature is called as pyrometry.
(8) Temperature of the core of the sun is 107 K while that of its surface is 6000 K.
(9) Normal temperature of human body is 310.15 K (37°C = 98.6°F).
(10) NTP or STP implies 273.15K (0°C = 32°F)
12.3 Scales of Temperature.
The Kelvin temperature scale is also known as thermodynamic scale. The S.I. unit of temperature is kelvin
and is defined as (1/273.16) of the temperature of the triple point of water. The triple point of water is that
point on a P-T diagram where the three phases of water, the solid, the liquid and the gas, can coexist in equilibrium.
In addition to kelvin temperature scale, there are other temperature scales also like Celsius, Fahrenheit,
Reaumer, Rankine etc.
To construct a scale of temperature, two fixed points are taken. First fixed point is the freezing point of water,
it is called lower fixed point. The second fixed point is the boiling point of water, it is called upper fixed point.

Name of the scale Symbol for Lower fixed Upper fixed point Number of divisions on
 58 Thermometry, Thermal Expansion and Caloriemetry

each degree point (LFP) (UFP) the scale

Celsius °C 0°C 100°C 100
Fahrenheit °F 32°F 212°F 180
Reaumer °R 0°R 80°R 80
Rankine °Ra 460 Ra 672 Ra 212
Kelvin K 273.15 K 373.15 K 100

Temperature on one scale can be converted into other scale by using the following identity.
Reading on any scale  Lower fixed point (LFP)
 Constant for all scales
Upper fixed point (UFP)  Lower fixed point (LFP)

C 0 F  32 K  273 . 15 R0 Ra  460

   
100 212  32 373 .15  273 . 15 80  0 672  460
C F  32 K  273 R Ra  460
or    
5 9 5 4 10 .6
12.4 Thermometry.
An instrument used to measure the temperature of a body is called a thermometer.
The linear variation in some physical property of a substance with change of temperature is the basic
principle of thermometry and these properties are defined as thermometric property (x) of the substance.
x may be (i) Length of liquid in capillary
(ii) Pressure of gas at constant volume.
(iii) Volume of gas at constant pressure.
(iv) Resistance of a given platinum wire.
In old thermometry, two arbitrarily fixed points ice and steam point (freezing point and boiling point at 1
atm) are taken to define the temperature scale. In celsius scale freezing point of water is assumed to be 0°C while
boiling point 100°C and the temperature interval between these is divided into 100 equal parts.
So if the thermometric property at temperature 0°C, 100°C and Tc°C is x0, x100 and x respectively then by linear
variation (y = mx + c) we can say that
0  ax 0  b …..(i) 100  ax 100  b …..(ii) Tc  ax  b …..(iii)

Tc  0 x  x0
From these equations 
100  0 x 100  x 0

x  x0
 Tc   100 centigrade
x 100  x 0
In modern thermometry instead of two fixed points only one reference point is chosen (triple point of water
273.16 K at which ice, water and water vapours co-exist) the other is itself 0 K where the value of thermometric
property is assumed to be zero.
 Thermometry, Thermal Expansion and Caloriemetry 59

So if the value of thermometric property at 0 K, 273.16 K and TK K is 0, xTr and x respectively then by linear
variation (y = mx + c) we can say that
0  a0 b …..(i) 273 . 16  a  x Tr  b …..(ii) TK  a  x  b …..(iii)

TK x
From these equation 
273 .16 x Tr

 x 
 TK  273 .16   kelvin
 x Tr 
12.5 Thermometers.
A thermometer is an instrument used to measure the temperature of a body. It works by absorbing some heat
from the body, so the temperature recorded by it is lesser than the actual value unless the body is at constant
temperature. Some common types of thermometers are :
(1) Liquid thermometers : In liquid thermometers mercury is preferred over other liquids as its expansion
is large and uniform and it has high thermal conductivity and low specific heat.
(i) Range of temperature :  50  to 350 C
(freezing point) (boiling p oint)

(ii) Upper limit of range of mercury thermometer can be raised upto 550°C by filling nitrogen in space over
mercury under pressure (which elevates boiling point of mercury).
(iii) Mercury thermometer with cylindrical bulbs are more sensitive than those with spherical bulbs.
(iv) If alcohol is used instead of mercury then range of temperature measurement becomes – 80°C to 350°C
l  l0
(v) Formula : Tc   100 C
l100  l0
(2) Gas thermometers : These are of two types
(i) Constant pressure gas thermometers
(a) Principle V  TK (if P = constant)
Vt  V0 V
(b) Formula : Tc   100  centigrade or TK  273 .16 kelvin
V100  V0 VTr
(ii) Constant volume gas thermometers
(a) Principle P  TK (if V = constant)
P  P0 P
(b) Formula : Tc   100 centigrade or TK  273 .16 kelvin
P100  P0 PTr
(c) Range of temperature : Hydrogen gas thermometer – 200 to 500°C
Nitrogen gas thermometer – 200 to 1600°C
Helium gas thermometer – 268 to 500°C
(d) These are more sensitive and accurate than liquid thermometers as expansion of gases is more than that of
liquids.
(3) Resistance thermometers : Resistance of metals varies with temperature according to relation.
 60 Thermometry, Thermal Expansion and Caloriemetry
R  R0 (1  Tc ) where  is the temperature coefficient of resistance.

Usually platinum is used in resistance thermometers due to high melting point and large value of .

R  R0 R
(i) Formula : Tc   100 centigrade or TK  273 .16 kelvin
R100  R0 RTr

(ii) Temperature range : Platinum resistance thermometer = – 200°C to 1200°C

Germanium resistance thermometer = 4 to 77 K
(4) Thermoelectric thermometers : These are based on “Seebeck effect” according to which when two
distinct metals are joined to form a closed circuit called thermocouple and the difference in temperature is
maintained between their junctions, an emf is developed. The emf is called thermo-emf and if one junction is at 0°C,
it varies with temperature as e  aTc  bTc2 where a and b are constants.

Temperature range : Copper-iron thermocouple 0°C to 260°C

Iron-constantan thermocouple 0°C to 800°C
Tungsten-molybdenum thermocouple 2000oC to 3000°C
(5) Pyrometers : These are the devices used to measure the temperature by measuring the intensity of
radiations received from the body. They are based on the fact that the amount of radiations emitted from a body
per unit area per second is directly proportional to the fourth power of temperature (Stefan’s law).
(i) These can be used to measure temperatures ranging from 800°C to 4000°C.
(ii) They cannot measure temperature below 800°C because the amount of radiations is too small to be measured.
(6) Vapour pressure thermometer : These are used to measure very low temperatures. They are based on
the fact that saturated vapour pressure P of a liquid depends on the temperature according to the relation
c
log P  a  bT K 
TK

The range of these thermometers varies from 120 K to 0.71 K for different liquid vapours.

Sample problems based on Thermometry

Problem 1. The graph AB shown in figure is a plot of temperature of a body in degree celsius and degree Fahrenheit. Then

100° C B
(a) Slope of line AB is 9/5
Centigrade

(b) Slope of line AB is 5/9

(c) Slope of line AB is 1/9
32° F 212°F Fahrenheit
(d) Slope of line AB is 3/9 A

C F  32
Solution : (b) Relation between Celsius and Fahrenheit scale of temperature is 
5 9
5 160
By rearranging we get, C = F
9 9
 Thermometry, Thermal Expansion and Caloriemetry 61

5 160
By equating above equation with standard equation of line y  mx  c we get m  and c 
9 9
5
i.e. Slope of the line AB is .
9
Problem 2. The freezing point on a thermometer is marked as 20° and the boiling point at as 150°. A temperature of 60°C
on this thermometer will be read as
(a) 40° (b) 65° (c) 98° (d) 110°
X  LFP
Solution : (c) Temperature on any scale can be converted into other scale by = Constant for all scales
UFP  LFP
X  20  C  0 C  130  60   130 
  X=  20  =  20   98 
150   20  100   0 o 100  100 
Problem 3. A thermometer is graduated in mm. It registers – 3mm when the bulb of thermometer is in pure melting ice
and 22mm when the thermometer is in steam at a pressure of one atm. The temperature in °C when the
thermometer registers 13mm is
13 16 13 16
(a)  100 (b)  100 (c)  100 (d)  100
25 25 22 22
Solution : (b) For a constant volume gas thermometer temperature in °centigrade is given as
P  P0 13  (3) 16
Tc   100 C  Tc   100 C   100
P100  P0 22  (3) 25
Problem 4. The temperature coefficient of resistance of a wire is 0.00125 per °C. At 300K its resistance is 1. The
resistance of wire will be 2 at
(a) 1154K (b) 1100K (c) 1400K (d) 1127K
Solution : (d) Resistance of wire varies with temperature as R = R 0 (1  Tc ) where  is temperature coefficient of
resistance
R 27 R (1  27 ) 1 1  54  1  54  0 .00125
  0   Tc = = = 854°C
R Tc R 0 (1  Tc ) 2  0 .00125

 TK = (854  273 )  1127 K = 1127 K.

12.6 Thermal Expansion.

When matter is heated without any change in state, it usually expands. According to atomic theory of matter, a
symmetry in potential energy curve is responsible for thermal expansion. As with rise in temperature the
amplitude of vibration and hence energy of atoms increases, hence the average distance between the atoms
increases. So the matter as a whole expands.
(1) Thermal expansion is minimum in case of solids but maximum in case of gases because intermolecular
force is maximum in solids but minimum in gases.
(2) Solids can expand in one dimension (linear expansion), two dimension (superficial expansion) and three
dimension (volume expansion) while liquids and gases usually suffers change in volume only.
(3) The coefficient of linear expansion of the material of a solid is defined as the increase in its length per unit
length per unit rise in its temperature.
L 1
 
L T
A 1
Similarly the coefficient of superficial expansion   
A T
 62 Thermometry, Thermal Expansion and Caloriemetry
V 1
and coefficient of volume expansion   
V T
The value of ,  and  depends upon the nature of material. All have dimension [ 1 ] and unit per °C.
L 1 A 1 V 1
(4) As    ,   and   
L T A T V T
 L  L T , A  A T and V  VT
Final length L   L  L  L(1  T ) …..(i)
Final area A   A  A  A(1  T ) …..(ii)
Final volume V   V  V  V (1  T ) …..(iii)
(5) If L is the side of square plate and it is heated by temperature T, then its side becomes L'.
The initial surface area A  L2 and final surface A   L  2
2 2
A  L   L(1  T ) 
   (1  T )  (1  2T )
2
   [Using Binomial theorem]
A L  L 
or A   A(1  2T )
Comparing with equation (ii) we get  = 2
3 3
V   L   L(1   T ) 
Similarly for volumetric expansion      (1   T )3  (1  3 T ) [Using Binomial theorem]
V L  L 
or V   V (1   T )
Comparing with equation (iii), we get   3
So  :  : 1 : 2 : 3
(i) Hence for the same rise in temperature
Percentage change in area = 2  percentage change in length.
Percentage change in volume = 3  percentage change in length.
(ii) The three coefficients of expansion are not constant for a given solid. Their values depends on the
temperature range in which they are measured.
(iii) The values of , ,  are independent of the units of length, area and volume respectively.
(iv) For anisotropic solids    x   y   z where x, y, and z represent the mean coefficients of linear
expansion along three mutually perpendicular directions.

Material [K–1 or (°C)–1] [K–1 or (°C)–1]

Steel 1.2  10–5 3.6  10–5
Copper 1.7  10–5 5.1  10–5
Brass 2.0  10–5 6.0  10–5
Aluminium 2.4  10–5 7.2  10–5
 Thermometry, Thermal Expansion and Caloriemetry 63

12.7 Variation of Density With Temperature.

Most substances expand when they are heated, i.e., volume of a given mass of a substance increases on
 1
heating, so the density should decrease  as    .
 V 
m 1  V V V 1
 or       (For a given mass)
V V  V  V  V V  VT 1  T

or      (1   T )1 =  (1   T ) [As  is small  using Binomial theorem]
1  T
  '   (1   T )
Sample problems based on Thermal expansion of solid
Problem 5. The design of a physical instrument requires that there be a constant difference in length of 10 cm between
an iron rod and a copper cylinder laid side by side at all temperatures. If  Fe  11  10 6  C 1 and
 cu  17  10 6 C 1 , their lengths are
(a) 28.3 cm, 18.3 cm (b) 23.8 cm, 13.8 cm (c) 23.9 cm, 13.9 cm (d) 27.5 cm, 17.5 cm
Solution : (a) Since a constant difference in length of 10 cm between an iron rod and a copper cylinder is required therefore
L Fe  L Cu  10 cm .....(i)
or L Fe  L Cu  O  LFe  LCu
i.e., Linear expansion of iron rod = Linear expansion of copper cylinder
L Fe  17 L 17
 L Fe   Fe  T  L Cu   Cu  T   Cu   Fe  .....(ii)
L Cu  Fe 11 L Cu 11
From (i) and (ii) L Fe  28 . 3 cm , L Cu  18 . 3 cm .
Problem 6. Two rods of length L2 and coefficient of linear expansion  2 are connected freely to a third rod of length L1
of coefficient of linear expansion  1 to form an isosceles triangle. The arrangement is supported on the knife
edge at the midpoint of L1 which is horizontal. The apex of the isosceles triangle is to remain at a constant
distance from the knife edge if
L1  2 L1 2 L1  L1 
(a)  (b)  (c) 2 2 (d) 2 2
L2  1 L2 1 L2 1 L2 1
Solution : (d) The apex of the isosceles triangle to remain at a constant distance from the knife edge DC should remains
constant before and after heating.
2
L 
Before expansion : In triangle ADC (DC ) 2  L22   1  .....(i) A L1/2 D L1/2 B
 2 
2 L2 L2
L 
After expansion : (DC) 2  [L 2 (1   2 t)] 2   1 (1   1 t) .....(ii)
 2 
2 2 C
L  L 
Equating (i) and (ii) we get L22   1   [L 2 (1   2 t)] 2   1 (1   1 t)
2
   2 
L21 L2 L2
 L22   L22  L22  2 2  t  1  1  2 1  t [Neglecting higher terms]
4 4 4
 64 Thermometry, Thermal Expansion and Caloriemetry

L12 L 2
 (2 1 t)  L22 (2 2 t)  1  2
4 L2 1
Problem 7. A iron rod of length 50 cm is joined at an end to an aluminium rod of length 100 cm. All measurements refer
to 20°C. The coefficients of linear expansion of iron and aluminium are 12  10 6 / C and 24  10 6 / C
respectively. The average coefficient of composite system is
(a) 36  10 6 / C (b) 12  10 6 / C (c) 20  10 6 / C (d) 48  10 6 / C
Solution : (c) Initially (at 20oC) length of composite system L = 50 + 100 = 150 cm
Length of iron rod at 100°C  50 [1  12  10 6  (100  20 )]  50 . 048 cm

Length of aluminum rod at 100°C  100 [1  24  10 6  (100  20 )]  100 . 192 cm

Finally (at 100oC) length of composite system L' = 50 . 048  100 . 192  150 . 24 cm
Change in length of the composite system L = L' – L = 150.24 –150 = 0.24 cm
L 0 . 24
 Average coefficient of expansion at 100oC   = = 20  10 6 / C
L  T 150  (100  20 )

Problem 8. A brass rod and lead rod each 80 cm long at 0°C are clamped together at one end with their free ends
coinciding. The separation of free ends of the rods if the system is placed in a steam bath is
( brass  18  10 6 / C and  lead  28  10 6 / C )
(a) 0.2 mm (b) 0.8 mm (c) 1.4 mm (d) 1.6 mm
Solution : (b) The Brass rod and the lead rod will suffer expansion when placed in steam bath.
 Length of brass rod at 100°C L'brass  L brass (1   brass T ) = 80 [1  18  10 6  100 ]

and the length of lead rod at 100°C L'lead  L lead (1   lead T ) = 80 [1  28  10 6  100 ]

Separation of free ends of the rods after heating = L'lead  L'brass = 80 [28  18 ]  10 4  8  10 2 cm  0 . 8 mm

Problem 9. The coefficient of apparent expansion of a liquid in a copper vessel is C and in a silver vessel S. The coefficient
of volume expansion of copper is  C . What is the coefficient of linear expansion of silver
(a) (C   C  S ) / 3 (b) (C   C  S ) / 3 (c) (C   C  S ) / 3 (d) (C   C  S ) / 3
Solution : (c) Apparent coefficient of volume expansion for liquid  app   L   s   L   app   s

where s is coefficient of volume expansion for solid vessel.

When liquid is placed in copper vessel then L = C + copper ....(i) [As app. for liquid in copper vessel = C]
When liquid is placed in silver vessel then L = S + silver ....(ii) [As app. for liquid in silver vessel = S]
From equation (i) and (ii) we get C + copper = S + silver
  silver  C   copper  S
Coefficient of volume expansion = 3 × Coefficient of linear expansion
 silver C   copper  S
  silver  
3 3
Problem 10. A uniform solid brass sphere is rotating with angular speed  0 about a diameter. If its temperature is now
increased by 100°C. What will be its new angular speed. (Given  B  2 .0  10 5 per C )
(a) 1 . 1 0 (b) 1 . 01 0 (c) 0 . 996  0 (d) 0 . 824  0
Solution : (c) Due to increase in temperature, radius of the sphere changes.
 Thermometry, Thermal Expansion and Caloriemetry 65

Let R0 and R100 are radius of sphere at 0oC and 100oC R 100  R 0 [1    100 ]
2
Squaring both the sides and neglecting higher terms R 100  R 02 [1  2  100 ]
By the law of conservation of angular momentum I1 1  I 2  2
2 2
 MR 02  1  MR 100
2
 2  R 02  1  R 02 [1  2  2  10 5  100 ] 2
5 5
1 0
 2    0 . 996  0
[1  4  10  3 ] 1 . 004

12.8 Expansion of Liquid.

Liquids also expand on heating just like solids. Since liquids have no shape of their own, they suffer only
volume expansion. If the liquid of volume V is heated and its temperature is raised by  then
VL'  V (1   L  ) [L = coefficient of real expansion or coefficient of volume expansion of liquid]
As liquid is always taken in a vessel for heating so if a liquid is heated, the vessel also gets heated and it also expands.
VS'  V (1   S  ) [S = coefficient of volume expansion for solid vessel]
So the change in volume of liquid relative to vessel.
VL'  VS'  V [ L   S ] 
Vapp  V  app  [  app   L   S  Apparent coefficient of volume expansion for liquid]

L S  app  0 Vapp  positive Level of liquid in vessel will rise on heating.

L S  app  0 Vapp  negative Level of liquid in vessel will fall on heating.

L S  app  0 Vapp  0 level of liquid in vessel will remain same.

12.9 Effect of Temperature on Upthrust.

The thrust on V volume of a body in a liquid of density  is given by
Th  Vg
Now with rise in temperature by  C°, due to expansion, volume of the body will increase while density of
liquid will decrease according to the relations V   V (1   S  ) and     /(1   L  )
So the thrust will become T h   V  g
T h  V  g (1   S  )
  
Th V g (1   L  )
and apparent weight of the body Wapp = Actual weight – Thrust
As  S   L  T h   Th with rise in temperature thrust also decreases and apparent weight of body increases.
12.10 Anomalous Expansion of Water.
(1) Generally matter expands on heating and contracts on cooling. In case of water, it expands on heating if its
temperature is greater than 4°C. In the range 0°C to 4°C, water contracts on heating and expands on cooling, i.e.  is
negative. This behaviour of water in the range from 0°C to 4°C is called anomalous expansion.
 66 Thermometry, Thermal Expansion and Caloriemetry
(2) The anomalous behaviour of water arises due to the fact that water has three types of molecules, viz.,
H 2 O, (H 2 O ) 2 and (H 2 O )3 having different volume per unit mass and at different temperatures their properties in
water are different.
(3) At 4°C, density of water is maximum while its specific volume is minimum.
During winter when the water at the surface of a lake cools below 4°C by cool air, it expands and becomes
lighter than water below. Therefore the water cooled below 4°C stays on the surface and freezes when the
temperature of surroundings falls below
max
0°C. Thus the lake freezes first at the
surface and water in contact with ice has min

Anomalous
behaviour

Anomalous
behaviour
temperature 0°C while at the bottom of the

vol/mass

Density
lake 4°C [as density of water at 4°C is
maximum] and fish and other aquatic
0°C 4°C Temperature 0°C 4°C Temperature
animals remain alive in this water.
Sample problems based on Thermal expansion of liquid
Problem 11. A glass flask of volume one litre at 0°C is filled, level full of mercury at this temperature. The flask and
mercury are now heated to 100°C. How much mercury will spill out, if coefficient of volume expansion of
mercury is 1 . 82  10 4 / C and linear expansion of glass is 0 . 1  10 4 / C respectively
(a) 21.2 cc (b) 15.2 cc (c) 1.52 cc (d) 2.12 cc
Solution : (c) Due to volume expansion of both liquid and vessel, the change in volume of liquid relative to container is
given by V = V [ L   S ]

Given V = 1000 cc, g = 0.1×10–4/°C   g  3 g  3  0 . 1  10 4 / C  0 . 3  10 4 / C

 V = 1000 [1.82 × 10–4 – 0.3 × 10–4] × 100 = 15.2 cc

Problem 12. Liquid is filled in a flask up to a certain point. When the flask is heated, the level of the liquid
(a) Immediately starts increasing (b) Initially falls and then rises
(c) Rises abruptly (d) Falls abruptly
Solution : (b) Since both the liquid and the flask undergoes volume expansion and the flask expands first therefore the level
of the liquid initially falls and then rises.
Problem 13. The absolute coefficient of expansion of a liquid is 7 times that the volume coefficient of expansion of the
vessel. Then the ratio of absolute and apparent expansion of the liquid is
1 7 6
(a) (b) (c) (d) None of these
7 6 7
Solution : (b) Apparent coefficient of Volume expansion app. = L – s = 7 s – s = 6s (given L = 7 s )
L 7 7
Ratio of absolute and apparent expansion of liquid  s  .
 app . 6 s 6
Problem 14. In cold countries, water pipes sometimes burst, because
(a) Pipe contracts (b) Water expands on freezing
(c) When water freezes, pressure increases (d) When water freezes, it takes heat from pipes
Solution : (b) In anomalous expansion, water contracts on heating and expands on cooling in the range 0°C to 4°C.
Therefore water pipes sometimes burst, in cold countries.
Problem 15. A solid whose volume does not change with temperature floats in a liquid. For two different temperatures t 1
and t 2 of the liquid, fractions f1 and f2 of the volume of the solid remain submerged in the liquid. The
coefficient of volume expansion of the liquid is equal to
 Thermometry, Thermal Expansion and Caloriemetry 67

f1  f2 f1  f2 f1  f2 f1  f2
(a) (b) (c) (d)
f2 t1  f1 t2 f1 t1  f2 t2 f2 t1  f1t2 f1 t1  f2 t2
Solution : (a) As with the rise in temperature, the liquid undergoes volume expansion therefore the fraction of solid
submerged in liquid increases.
Fraction of solid submerged at t 1 C  f1 = Volume of displaced liquid  V0 (1   t 1 ) .....(i)

and fraction of solid submerged at t 2 C  f2 = Volume of displaced liquid  V0 (1   t 2 ) .....(ii)

f1 1  t1 f f
From (i) and (ii)    1 2
f2 1  t 2 f2 t1  f1 t 2

12.11 Expansion of Gases.

Gases have no definite shape, therefore gases have only volume expansion. Since the expansion of container is
negligible in comparison to the gases, therefore gases have only real expansion.
Coefficient of volume expansion : At constant pressure, the unit volume of a given mass of a gas, increases
with 1°C rise of temperature, is called coefficient of volume expansion.
V 1
   Final volume V   V (1  T )
V T
P 1
Coefficient of pressure expansion :     Final pressure P   P(1  T )
P T
For an ideal gas, coefficient of volume expansion is equal to the coefficient of pressure expansion.
1
i.e.  C 1
273
12.12 Application of Thermal Expansion.
(1) Bi-metallic strip : Two strips of equal lengths but of different materials (different coefficient of linear
expansion) when join together, it is called “bi-metallic strip”, and can be used in thermostat to break or make
electrical contact. This strip has the characteristic property of bending on heating due to unequal linear expansion
of the two metal. The strip will bend with metal of greater  on outer side i.e. convex side.
Steel Brass
Bimetallic
strip

Room temperature Higher temperature High temperature Room temperature

(2) Effect of temperature on the time period of a simple pendulum : A pendulum clock keeps proper time
at temperature . If temperature is increased to  (  ) then due to linear expansion, length of pendulum and
hence its time period will increase.
L T L L(1    )
Time period T  2     (1    )
g T L L

 1  1 T  T 1
T   T  1      T    T or   
 2  2 T 2
 68 Thermometry, Thermal Expansion and Caloriemetry
T 1
   
T 2
(i) Due to increment in its time period, a pendulum clock becomes slow in summer and will lose time.
1
Loss of time in a time period T    T
2
1
 Loss of time in any given time interval t can be given by  t    t .
2
(ii) The clock will lose time i.e. will become slow if     (in summer)
and will gain time i.e. will become fast if     (in winter).
(iii) The gain or loss in time is independent of time period T and depends on the time interval t.
(iv) Time lost by the clock in a day (t = 86400 sec)
1 1
t    t    (86400 )  43200   sec
2 2
(v) Since coefficient of linear expansion () is very small for invar, hence pendulums are made of invar to
show the correct time in all seasons.
(3) Thermal stress in a rigidly fixed rod : When a rod whose ends are rigidly fixed such as to prevent
expansion or contraction, undergoes a change in temperature, due to thermal expansion or contraction, a
compressive or tensile stress is developed in it. Due to this thermal stress the rod will exert a large force on the
supports. If the change in temperature of a rod of length L is  then
L  L 1 
Thermal strain 
L
   As   L   
 
 stress 
So Thermal stress  Y   As Y  strain 
 
or Force on the supports F  YA  
(4) Error in scale reading due to expansion or contraction : If a scale gives correct reading at temperature
, at temperature  (  ) due to linear expansion of scale, the scale will expand and scale reading will be lesser
than true value so that,
0 a 0 SR a 0 a SR
True value = Scale reading [1   (    )]
i.e. TV  SR [1    ] with   (    )
at  at  >  at  < 
However, if     , due to contractions of scale, TV = SR TV > SR TV < SR
scale reading will be more than true value, so true
value will be lesser than scale reading and will still be given by equation with   (    ) negative.
(5) Expansion of cavity : Thermal expansion of an isotropic object may be imagined as a photographic
enlargement. So if there is a hole A in a plate C (or
cavity A inside a body C), the area of hole (or volume r
a A r B a D
of cavity) will increase when body expands on
heating, just as if the hole (or cavity) were solid B of C
the same material. Also the expansion of area (or b b
Expansion of A = Expansion of B Expansion of C = Expansion of D
 Thermometry, Thermal Expansion and Caloriemetry 69

volume) of the body C will be independent of shape and size of hole (or cavity), i.e., will be equal to that of D.

Note :  A solid and hollow sphere of same radius and material, heated to the same temperature
then expansion of both will be equal because thermal expansion of isotropic solids is similar to true
photographic enlargement. It means the expansion of cavity is same as if it has been a solid body of
the same material. But if same heat is given to the two spheres, due to lesser mass, rise in
  a 
temperature of hollow sphere will be more  As      . Hence its expansion will be more.
  mc  
(6) Practical application
(i) When rails are laid down on the ground, space is left between the ends of two rails.
(ii) The transmission cable are not tightly fixed to the poles.
(iii) Pendulum of wall clock and balance wheel of wrist watch are made of invar (an alloy which have very low
value of coefficient of expansion).
(iv) Test tubes, beakers and crucibles are made of pyrex-glass or silica because they have very low value of
coefficient of linear expansion.
(v) The iron rim to be put on a cart wheel is always of slightly smaller diameter than that of wheel.
(vi) A glass stopper jammed in the neck of a glass bottle can be taken out by warming the neck of the bottle.
Sample problems based on Application of thermal expansion
Problem 16. A bimetallic strip is formed out of two identical strips, one of copper and other of brass. The coefficients of
linear expansion of the two metals are  C and  B . On heating, the temperature of the strip goes up by T
and the strip bends to form an arc of radius of curvature R. Then R is [IIT-JEE (Screening) 1999]

(a) Proportional to T (b) Inversely proportional to T

(c) Proportional to |  B   C | (d) Inversely proportional to |  B   C |
Solution : (b, d) On heating, the strip undergoes linear expansion
So after expansion length of brass strip L B  L 0 (1   B T ) and length of copper strip L C  L 0 (1   C T )

From the figure L B  (R  d ) ......(i)

and Lc  R ......(ii) [As angle = Arc/Radius] d

Rd L 1   B T R
Dividing (i) by (ii)  B  
R LC 1   C T

d
 1  (1   B T )(1   C T ) 1 = (1   B T )(1   C T ) = 1  ( B   C )T
R
d d
  ( B   C ) T or R  [Using Binomial theorem and neglecting higher terms]
R ( B   C )T
1 1
So we can say R  and R 
( B C ) T

Problem 17. Two metal strips that constitute a thermostat must necessarily differ in their [IIT-JEE 1992]

(a) Mass (b) Length

(c) Resistivity (d) Coefficient of linear expansion
 70 Thermometry, Thermal Expansion and Caloriemetry
Solution : (d) Thermostat is used in electric apparatus like refrigerator, Iron etc for automatic cut off. Therefore for metallic
strips to bend on heating their coefficient of linear expansion should be different.
Problem 18. A cylindrical metal rod of length L0 is shaped into a ring with a small gap as shown. On heating the system
X
(a) x decreases, r and d increase
(b) x and r increase, d decreases r

(c) x, r and d all increase

(d) Data insufficient to arrive at a conclusion d

Solution : (c) On heating the system; x, r, d all increases, since the expansion of isotropic solids is similar to true
photographic enlargement
Problem 19. Two holes of unequal diameters d1 and d 2 (d1  d 2 ) are cut in a metal sheet. If the sheet is heated

(a) Both d1 and d 2 will decrease d2

(b) Both d1 and d 2 will increase d1

(c) d1 will increase, d 2 will decrease

(d) d1 will decrease, d 2 will increase
Solution : (b) If the sheet is heated then both d1 and d2 will increase since the thermal expansion of isotropic solid is similar
to true photographic enlargement.
Problem 20. An iron tyre is to be fitted onto a wooden wheel 1.0 m in diameter. The diameter of the tyre is 6 mm smaller
than that of wheel. The tyre should be heated so that its temperature increases by a minimum of
(Coefficient of volume expansion of iron is 3 .6  10 5 / C )
(a) 167°C (b) 334°C (c) 500°C (d) 1000°C
994
Solution : (c) Initial diameter of tyre = (1000 – 6) mm = 994 mm, so initial radius of tyre R   497 mm
2
6
and change in diameter D = 6 mm so R   3 mm
2
After increasing temperature by T tyre will fit onto wheel
Increment in the length (circumference) of the iron tyre
 
L = L    T  L   T [As   ]
3 3
  3 R 3 3
 2 R  2 R   T  T   [As R = 3 mm and R = 497 mm]
3  R 3 . 6  10  5  497
 T  500 o C
Problem 21. A clock with a metal pendulum beating seconds keeps correct time at 0°C. If it loses 12.5 seconds a day at
25°C, the coefficient of linear expansion of metal of pendulum is
1 1 1 1
(a) per o C (b) per C (c) per C (d) per C
86400 43200 14400 28800
Solution : (a) Loss of time due to heating a pendulum is given as
1 1 1
T = T  12.5 =    (25  0)C  86400    per C
2 2 86400
 Thermometry, Thermal Expansion and Caloriemetry 71

Problem 22. A wire of length L 0 is supplied heat to raise its temperature by T. If  is the coefficient of volume expansion of
the wire and Y is the Young’s modulus of the wire then the energy density stored in the wire is
1 2 2 1 2 2 3 1  2T 2 1 2 2
(a)  T Y (b)  T Y (c) (d)  T Y
2 3 18 Y 18
L
Solution : (d) Due to heating the length of the wire increases.  Longitudinal strain is produced     T
L
1 1
Elastic potential energy per unit volume E =  Stress  Strain =  Y  (Strain ) 2
2 2
2
1  L  1 2 2
 E= Y     Y    T
2  L  2
2
1   1 2 2
or E=  Y     T2 =  YT [As   3 and T = T (given)]
2 3
  18

Problem 23. Span of a bridge is 2.4 km. At 30°C a cable along the span sags by 0.5 km. Taking   12  10 6 per o C , change
in length of cable for a change in temperature from 10°C to 42°C is

(a) 9.9 m P O Q

(b) 0.099 m
(c) 0.99 m
(d) 0.4 km
Solution : (c) Span of bridge = 2400 m and Bridge sags by 500 m at 30° (given) 1200 m O
P Q
2 2
From the figure LPRQ = 2 1200  500  2600 m
500 m
But L  L0 (1   t) [Due to linear expansion]

 2600  L0 (1  12  10 6  30 )  Length of the cable L0  2599 m R

Now change in length of cable due to change in temperature from 10oC to 42oC

L  2599  12  10 6  (42  10 ) = 0.99m

12.13 Thermal Capacity and Water Equivalent.

(1) Thermal capacity : It is defined as the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of the whole
body (mass m) through 0°C or 1K.
Q
Thermal capacity  mc  C 
T
The value of thermal capacity of a body depends upon the nature of the body and its mass.
Dimension : [ML2 T 2 1 ] , Unit : cal/°C (practical) Joule/k (S.I.)
(2) Water Equivalent : Water equivalent of a body is defined as the mass of water which would absorb or
evolve the same amount of heat as is done by the body in rising or falling through the same range of temperature. It
is represented by W.
If m = Mass of the body, c = Specific heat of body, T = Rise in temperature.
 72 Thermometry, Thermal Expansion and Caloriemetry
Then heat given to body Q  mc T ….. (i)
If same amount of heat is given to W gm of water and its temperature also rises by T
Then heat given to water Q  W  1  T [As c water  1 ] ….. (ii)
From equation (i) and (ii) Q  mc T  W  1  T
 Water equivalent (W) = mc gm
Unit : Kg (S.I.) Dimension : [ML0 T 0 ]

Note :  Unit of thermal capacity is J/kg while unit of water equivalent is kg.
 Thermal capacity of the body and its water equivalent are numerically equal.
 If thermal capacity of a body is expressed in terms of mass of water it is called water-equivalent of the
body.
12.14 Specific Heat.
(1) Gram specific heat : When heat is given to a body and its temperature increases, the heat required to
raise the temperature of unit mass of a body through 1°C (or K) is called specific heat of the material of the body.
If Q heat changes the temperature of mass m by T
Q
Specific heat c  .
m T
Units : Calorie/gm  °C (practical), J/kg  K (S.I.) Dimension : [L2 T 2 1 ]
(2) Molar specific heat : Molar specific heat of a substance is defined as the amount of heat required to raise
the temperature of one gram mole of the substance through a unit degree it is represented by (capital) C.
By definition, one mole of any substance is a quantity of the substance, whose mass M grams is numerically
equal to the molecular mass M.
 Molar specific heat  M  Gram specific heat
or C Mc

Q 1 Q  Q m
CM 
m T  T  As c  m T and   M 
 
Q
 C
T

Units : calorie/mole  °C (practical); J/mole  kelvin (S.I.) Dimension : [ML2 T 2 1  1 ]

Important points
 
(1) Specific heat for hydrogen is maximum 3 .5 cal / gm  o C and for water, it is 1cal / gm  C .
For all other substances, the specific heat is less than 1cal / gm  C and it is minimum for radon and actinium
  0 .022 cal / gm  C  .
~
(2) Specific heat of a substance also depends on the state of the substance i.e. solid, liquid or gas.
For example, c ice  0 .5 cal / gm  C (Solid), c water  1 cal / gm  C (Liquid) and c steam  0 . 47 cal / gm  C (Gas)
 Thermometry, Thermal Expansion and Caloriemetry 73

(3) The specific heat of a substance when it melts or boils at constant temperature is infinite.
Q Q
As C   [As T = 0]
m T m  0
(4) The specific heat of a substance when it undergoes adiabatic changes is zero.
Q 0
As C  0 [As Q = 0]
m T m T
(5) Specific heat of a substance can also be negative. Negative specific heat means that in order to raise the
temperature, a certain quantity of heat is to be withdrawn from the body.
Example. Specific heat of saturated vapours.
12.15 Specific Heat of Solids.
When a solid is heated through a small range of temperature, its volume remains more or less constant.
Therefore specific heat of a solid may be called its specific heat at constant volume Cv.
From the graph it is clear that at T = 0, Cv tends to zero Y 3R

With rise in temperature, C v increases and becomes constant = 3R Cv

= 6 cal/mole  kelvin = 25 J/mole  kelvin

at some particular temperature (Debye Temperature)
T Debye temp.
For most of the solids, Debye temperature is close to room temperature.
(1) Specific heat of some solids at room temperature and atmospheric pressure
Substance Specific heat (J-kg–1 K–1) Molar specific heat (J-g mole–1 K–1)
Aluminium 900.0 24.4
Copper 386.4 24.5
Silver 236.1 25.5
Lead 127.7 26.5
Tungsten 134.4 24.9

(2) Dulong and Petit law : Average molar specific heat of all metals at room temperature is constant, being
nearly equal to 3R = 6 cal. mole–1 K–1 = 25 J mole–1 K–1, where R is gas constant for one mole of the gas. This
statement is known as Dulong and Petit law.
12.16 Specific Heat of Water.
The variation of specific heat with temperature for water is shown in the
Sp. heat cal/g C°

figure. Usually this temperature dependence of specific heat is neglected. 1.008

9
1.004
From the graph :
1.000
Temperature (°C) 0 15 35 50 100
0.996
1.008 1.000 0.997 0.998 1.006 20 40 60 80 100
Specific heat (cal/ gm  °C) Temp. in °C

As specific heat of water is very large; by absorbing or releasing large amount of heat its temperature changes
by small amount. This is why, it is used in hot water bottles or as coolant in radiators.
 74 Thermometry, Thermal Expansion and Caloriemetry

Note :  When specific heats are measured, the values obtained are also found to depend on the
conditions of the experiment. In general measurements made at constant pressure are different
from those at constant volume. For solids and liquids this difference is very small and usually
neglected. The specific heat of gases are quite different under constant pressure condition (cP) and
constant volume (cV). In the chapter “Kinetic theory of gases” we have discussed this topic in detail.

Sample problems based on Specific heat, thermal capacity and water equivalent
Problem 24. Two spheres made of same substance have diameters in the ratio 1 : 2. Their thermal capacities are in the
ratio of [JIPMER 1999]

(a) 1 : 2 (b) 1 : 8 (c) 1 : 4 (d) 2 : 1

Solution : (b) Thermal capacity = Mass × Specific heat
Due to same material both spheres will have same specific heat
4 3
r1 r 
3 3
m1 V1  1
 Ratio of thermal capacity    3   1      1 : 8
m 2 V2  4 r 2
r23  2 
3
Problem 25. When 300 J of heat is added to 25 gm of sample of a material its temperature rises from 25°C to 45°C. the
thermal capacity of the sample and specific heat of the material are respectively given by
(a) 15 J/°C, 600 J/kg °C (b) 600 J/°C, 15 J°/kg oC (c) 150 J/°C, 60 J/kg °C (d) None of these
Q 300 300
Solution : (a) Thermal capacity = mc =    15 J / C
T 45  25 20
Thermal capacity 15
Specific heat = =  600 J / kg C
Mass 25  10  3
Problem 26. The specific heat of a substance varies with temperature t(°C) as
c  0 . 20  0 . 14 t  0 . 023 t 2 (cal/ gm C )
The heat required to raise the temperature of 2 gm of substance from 5°C to 15°C will be
(a) 24 calorie (b) 56 calorie (c) 82 calorie (d) 100 calorie
Solution : (c) Heat required to raise the temperature of m gm of substance by dT is given as

dQ = mc dT  Q   mc dT
 To raise the temperature of 2 gm of substance from 5°C to 15°C is
15 15
 0 . 14 t 2 0 . 023 t 3 
Q 
5
2  (0 . 2  0 . 14 t  0 . 023 t 2 )dT  2  0 . 2 t 
 2

3
 = 82 calorie
 5

12.17 Latent Heat.

(1) When a substance changes from one state to another state (say from solid to liquid or liquid to gas or from
liquid to solid or gas to liquid) then energy is either absorbed or liberated. This heat energy is called latent heat.
(2) No change in temperature is involved when the substance changes its state. That is, phase transformation
is an isothermal change. Ice at 0°C melts into water at 0°C. Water at 100°C boils to form steam at 100°C.
 Thermometry, Thermal Expansion and Caloriemetry 75

(3) The amount of heat required to change the state of the mass m of the substance is written as : Q = mL,
where L is the latent heat. Latent heat is also called as Heat of Transformation.
(4) Unit : cal/gm or J/kg and Dimension : [L2 T 2 ]
(5) Any material has two types of latent heats
(i) Latent heat of fusion : The latent heat of fusion is the heat energy required to change 1 kg of the material in
its solid state at its melting point to 1 kg of the material in its liquid state. It is also the amount of heat energy
released when at melting point 1 kg of liquid changes to 1 kg of solid. For water at its normal freezing temperature
or melting point (0°C), the latent heat of fusion (or latent heat of ice) is
L F  L ice  80 cal / g  60 kJ / mol  336 kilo joule / kg .

(ii) Latent heat of vaporisation : The latent heat of vaporisation is the heat energy required to change 1 kg of
the material in its liquid state at its boiling point to 1 kg of the material in its gaseous state. It is also the amount
of heat energy released when 1 kg of vapour changes into 1 kg of liquid. For water at its normal boiling point or
condensation temperature (100°C), the latent heat of vaporisation (latent heat of steam) is
L V  L steam  540 cal / g  40 . 8 kJ / mol  2260 kilo joule / kg

(6) In the process of melting or boiling, heat supplied is used to increase the internal potential energy of the
substance and also in doing work against external pressure while internal kinetic energy remains constant. This is
the reason that internal energy of steam at 100°C is more than that of water at 100°C.
(7) It is more painful to get burnt by steam rather than by boiling water at same temperature. This is so
because when steam at 100°C gets converted to water at 100°C, then it gives out 536 calories of heat. So, it is clear
that steam at 100°C has more heat than water at 100°C (i.e., boiling of water).
(8) In case of change of state if the molecules come closer, energy is released and if the molecules move apart,
energy is absorbed.
(9) Latent heat of vaporisation is more than the latent heat of fusion. This is because when a substance gets
converted from liquid to vapour, there is a large increase in volume. Hence more amount of heat is required. But
when a solid gets converted to a liquid, then the increase in volume is negligible. Hence very less amount of heat is
required. So, latent heat of vaporisation is more than the latent heat of fusion.
(10) After snow falls, the temperature of the atmosphere becomes very low. This is because the snow absorbs
the heat from the atmosphere to melt down. So, in the mountains, when snow falls, one does not feel too cold, but
when ice melts, he feels too cold.
(11) There is more shivering effect of ice-cream on teeth as compared to that of water (obtained from ice).
This is because, when ice-cream melts down, it absorbs large amount of heat from teeth.
(12) Freezing mixture : If salt is added to ice, then the temperature of mixture drops down to less than 0°C.
This is so because, some ice melts down to cool the salt to 0°C. As a result, salt gets dissolved in the water formed
and saturated solution of salt is obtained; but the ice point (freeing point) of the solution formed is always less than
that of pure water. So, ice cannot be in the solid state with the salt solution at 0°C. The ice which is in contact with
the solution, starts melting and it absorbs the required latent heat from the mixture, so the temperature of mixture
falls down.
 76 Thermometry, Thermal Expansion and Caloriemetry

Sample problems based on Latent heat

Problem 27. Work done in converting one gram of ice at – 10°C into steam at 100°C is
[MP PET /PMT 1988; EAMCET (Med.) 1995; MP PMT 2003]

(a) 3045 J (b) 6056 J (c) 721 J (d) 616 J

Solution : (a) Work done in converting 1gm of ice at – 10°C to steam at 100°C
= Heat supplied to raise temperature of 1gm of ice from – 10°C to 0°C [m  cice  T]
+ Heat supplied to convert 1 gm ice into water at 0°C [m  Lice]
+ Heat supplied to raise temperature of 1gm of water from 0°C to 100°C [m  cwater  T]
+ Heat supplied to convert 1 gm water into steam at 100°C [m  Lvapour]
= [m  cice  T] + [m  Lice] + [m  cwater  T] + [m  Lvapour]
= [1  0 . 5  10 ]  [1  80 ]  [1  1  100 ]  [1  540 ] = 725 calorie  725  4 . 2  3045 J

Problem 28. 2 kg of ice at – 20°C is mixed with 5 kg of water at 20°C in an insulating vessel having a negligible heat
capacity. Calculate the final mass of water remaining in the container. It is given that the specific heats of
water and ice are 1 kcal/kg per °C and 0.5 kcal/kg/°C while the latent heat of fusion of ice is 80 kcal/kg
[IIT-JEE (Screening) 2003]

(a) 7 kg (b) 6 kg (c) 4 kg (d) 2 kg

Solution : (b) Initially ice will absorb heat to raise it's temperature to 0 oC then it's melting takes place
If m = Initial mass of ice, m' = Mass of ice that melts and mw = Initial mass of water
By Law of mixture Heat gain by ice = Heat loss by water
 m  c  (20 )  m '  L = m w cw [20 ]

 2  0 . 5(20 )  m '80 = 5  1  20  m ' = 1kg

So final mass of water = Initial mass of water + Mass of ice that melts = 5 + 1= 6 kg.
Problem 29. If mass energy equivalence is taken into account, when water is cooled to form ice, the mass of water should
[AIEEE 2002]

(a) Increase (b) Remain unchanged

(c) Decrease (d) First increase then decrease
Solution : (b) When water is cooled at 0 oC
to form ice then 80 calorie/gm (latent heat) energy is released. Because potential
energy of the molecules decreases. Mass will remain constant in the process of freezing of water.

Problem 30. Compared to a burn due to water at 100°C, a burn due to steam at 100°C is [KCET 1999; UPSEAT 1999]

(a) More dangerous (b) Less dangerous (c) Equally dangerous (d) None of these
Solution : (a) Steam at 100oC
contains extra 540 calorie/gm energy as compare to water at 100oC. So it's more dangerous to
burn with steam then water.
Problem 31. Latent heat of ice is 80 calorie/gm. A man melts 60 g of ice by chewing in 1 minute. His power is
(a) 4800 W (b) 336 W (c) 1.33 W (d) 0.75 W
Solution : (b) Work done by man = Heat absorbed by ice = mL = 60  80 = 4800 calorie = 20160 J
W 20160
 Power =  = 336W
t 60
 Thermometry, Thermal Expansion and Caloriemetry 77

12.18 Principle of Caloriemetry.

When two bodies (one being solid and other liquid or both being liquid) at different temperatures are mixed,
heat will be transferred from body at higher temperature to a body at lower temperature till both acquire same
temperature. The body at higher temperature releases heat while body at lower temperature absorbs it, so that
Heat lost = Heat gained
i.e. principle of caloriemetry represents the law of conservation of heat energy.
(1) Temperature of mixture (T) is always ≥ lower temperature (TL) and ≤ higher temperature (TH), i.e.,
TL  T  TH
i.e., the temperature of mixture can never be lesser than lower temperatures (as a body cannot be cooled
below the temperature of cooling body) and greater than higher temperature (as a body cannot be heated above
the temperature of heating body). Furthermore usually rise in temperature of one body is not equal to the fall in
temperature of the other body though heat gained by one body is equal to the heat lost by the other.
(2) When temperature of a body changes, the body releases heat if its temperature falls and absorbs heat
when its temperature rises. The heat released or absorbed by a body of mass m is given by, Q = mc T
where c is specific heat of the body and T change in its temperature in oC or K.
(3) When state of a body changes, change of state takes place at constant temperature [m.pt. or b.pt.] and heat
released or absorbed is given by, Q = mL
where L is latent heat. Heat is absorbed if solid converts into liquid (at m.pt.) or liquid converts into vapours
(at b.pt.) and is released if liquid converts into solid or vapours converts into liquid.
(4) If two bodies A and B of masses m 1 and m 2 , at temperatures T1 and T2 (T1  T2 ) and having gram
specific heat c 1 and c 2 when they are placed in contact.
Heat lost by A = Heat gained by B
or m 1 c 1 (T1  T )  m 2 c 2 (T  T2 ) [where T = Temperature of equilibrium]
m 1 c 1 T1  m 2 c 2 T2
 T
m 1 c1  m 2 c 2
m 1 T1  m 2 T2
(i) If bodies are of same material c 1  c 2 then T 
m1  m 2
T1 c 1  T2 c 2
(ii) If bodies are of same mass (m 1  m 2 ) then T 
c1  c 2
T1  T2
(iii) If bodies are of same material and of equal masses (m 1  m 2 , c 1  c 2 ) then T 
2
12.19 Heating curve.
If to a given mass (m) of a solid, heat is supplied at constant rate P and a graph is plotted between
temperature and time, the graph is as shown in figure and is called E
heating curve. From this curve it is clear that b. pt. C
T2 D
Boiling
Temp.

(1) In the region OA temperature of solid is changing with time so,

T1 m. pt. B
Q  mc S T A Melting

or P t  mc S T [as Q = Pt] O
t1 t2 t3 t4
Time
But as (T/t) is the slope of temperature-time curve
 78 Thermometry, Thermal Expansion and Caloriemetry
cS  (1/slope of line OA)
i.e. specific heat (or thermal capacity) is inversely proportional to the slope of temperature-time curve.
(2) In the region AB temperature is constant, so it represents change of state, i.e., melting of solid with melting
point T1. At A melting starts and at B all solid is converted into liquid. So between A and B substance is partly solid
and partly liquid. If LF is the latent heat of fusion.
P(t 2  t1 )
Q  mL F or L F  [as Q  P(t 2  t1 ) ]
m
or LF  length of line AB
1
i.e. Latent heat of fusion is proportional to the length of line of zero slope. [In this region specific heat   ]
tan 0
(3) In the region BC temperature of liquid increases so specific heat (or thermal capacity) of liquid will be
inversely proportional to the slope of line BC
i.e., cL  (1/slope of line BC)
(4) In the region CD temperature is constant, so it represents the change of state, i.e., boiling with boiling
point T2. At C all substance is in liquid state while at D in vapour state and between C and D partly liquid and partly
gas. The length of line CD is proportional to latent heat of vaporisation
1
i.e., LV  Length of line CD [In this region specific heat  ]
tan 0
(5) The line DE represents gaseous state of substance with its temperature increasing linearly with time. The
reciprocal of slope of line will be proportional to specific heat or thermal capacity of substance in vapour state.

Sample problems based on Caloriemetry

Problem 32. 50 g of copper is heated to increase its temperature by 10°C. If the same quantity of heat is given to 10 g of
water, the rise in its temperature is (Specific heat of copper  420 Joule -kg 1 C 1 ) [EAMCET (Med.) 2000]

(a) 5°C (b) 6°C (c) 7°C (d) 8°C

Solution : (a) Same amount of heat is supplied to copper and water so m c c c Tc  m  c  T

m c cc Tc 50  10 3  420  10
 T =   5 C
m c 10  10  3  4200

Problem 33. Two liquids A and B are at 32°C and 24°C. When mixed in equal masses the temperature of the mixture is
found to be 28°C. Their specific heats are in the ratio of [DPMT 1996]

(a) 3 : 2 (b) 2 : 3 (c) 1 : 1 (d) 4 : 3

Solution : (c) Heat lost by A = Heat gained by B
 m A  c A  (TA  T )  m B  c B  (T  TB ) Since m A  m B and Temperature of the mixture (T) = 28°C

cA
 c A  (32  28 )  c B  (28  24 )  1:1
cB

Problem 34. 22 g of CO 2 at 27°C is mixed with 16g of O 2 at 37°C. The temperature of the mixture is [CBSE PMT 1995]
 Thermometry, Thermal Expansion and Caloriemetry 79

(a) 27°C (b) 30.5°C (c) 32°C (d) 37°C

Solution : (c) Heat lost by CO 2 = Heat gained by O 2

If µ1 and µ 2 are the number of moles of carbon di-oxide and oxygen respectively and C v1 and C v 2 are the
specific heats at constant volume then µ1Cv1 T1  µ2 Cv 2 T2

22 16 5 R
  3 R  (T  27 )   (37  T )  T = 31.5°C ≈ 32°C (where T is temperature of mixture)
44 32 2
Problem 35. A beaker contains 200 gm of water. The heat capacity of the beaker is equal to that of 20 gm of water. The
initial temperature of water in the beaker is 20°C. If 440 gm of hot water at 92°C is poured in it, the final
temperature (neglecting radiation loss) will be nearest to [NSEP 1994]

(a) 58°C (b) 68°C (c) 73°C (d) 78°C

Solution : (b) Heat lost by hot water = Heat gained by cold water in beaker + Heat absorbed by beaker
 440 (92 – T) = 200 × (T – 20) + 20 × (T – 20)  T = 68°C
Problem 36. A liquid of mass m and specific heat c is heated to a temperature 2T. Another liquid of mass m/2 and specific
heat 2c is heated to a temperature T. If these two liquids are mixed, the resulting temperature of the mixture
is
[EAMCET 1992]

(a) (2/3)T (b) (8/5)T (c) (3/5)T (d) (3/2)T

m
m .c. 2 T  . 2 .c.T
m c T  m 2 c 2 T2 2 3
Solution : (d) Temperature of mixture is given by T = 1 1 1   T
m 1 c1  m 2 c 2 m 2
m .c.  . 2 c
2
Problem 37. Three liquids with masses m 1 , m 2 , m 3 are thoroughly mixed. If their specific heats are c 1 , c 2 , c 3 and their
temperatures T1 , T 2 , T3 respectively, then the temperature of the mixture is
c 1 T1  c 2 T2  c 3 T3 m 1 c1 T1  m 2 c 2 T2  m 3 c 3 T3
(a) (b)
m 1c 1  m 2 c 2  m 3 c 3 m 1c 1  m 2 c 2  m 3 c 3
m 1 c 1 T1  m 2 c 2 T 2  m 3 c 3 T3 m 1 T1  m 2 T 2  m 3 T 3
(c) (d)
m 1T 1  m 2 T 2  m 3 T3 c 1T 1  c 2 T 2  c 3 T 3
Solution : (b) Let the final temperature be T °C.
Total heat supplied by the three liquids in coming down to 0°C = m 1 c 1 T1  m 2 c 2 T 2  m 3 c 3 T3 ..... (i)
Total heat used by three liquids in raising temperature from 0oC to ToC = m 1 c 1 T  m 2 c 2 T  m 3 c 3 T .....(ii)
By equating (i) and (ii) we get (m 1 c 1  m 2 c 2  m 3 c 3 ) T = m 1 c1 T1  m 2 c 2 T 2  m 3 c 3 T3
m 1 c 1 T1  m 2 c 2 T 2  m 3 c 3 T3
 T  .
m 1 c1  m 2 c 2  m 3 c 3

Problem 38. In an industrial process 10 kg of water per hour is to be heated from 20°C to 80°C. To do this steam at 150°C is
passed from a boiler into a copper coil immersed in water. The steam condenses in the coil and is returned to
the boiler as water at 90°C. how many kg of steam is required per hour.
(Specific heat of steam = 1 calorie per gm°C, Latent heat of vaporisation = 540 cal/gm)
(a) 1 gm (b) 1 kg (c) 10 gm (d) 10 kg
Solution : (b) Heat required by 10 kg water to change its temperature from 20°C to 80°C in one hour is
 80 Thermometry, Thermal Expansion and Caloriemetry

Q1 = (mc T )water = (10  10 3 )  1  (80 – 20 )  600  10 3 calorie

In condensation (i) Steam release heat when it looses it's temperature from 150 oC to 100oC. [mc steam T ]

(ii) At 100oC it converts into water and gives the latent heat. [mL ]

(iii) Water release heat when it looses it's temperature from 100oC to 90oC. [ms water T ]

If m gm steam condensed per hour, then heat released by steam in converting water of 90°C
Q2 = (mc T ) steam  mL steam  (ms T )water = m [1  (150  100 )  540  1  (100  90 )] = 600 m calorie

According to problem Q1 = Q2  600 × 103 cal = 600 m cal  m = 103 gm = 1 kg.

Problem 39. A caloriemeter contains 0.2kg of water at 30°C. 0.1 kg of water at 60°C is added to it, the mixture is well
stirred and the resulting temperature is found to be 35°C. The thermal capacity of the caloriemeter is
(a) 6300 J/K (b) 1260 J/K (c) 4200 J/K (d) None of these
Solution : (b) Let X be the thermal capacity of calorimeter and specific heat of water = 4200 J/kg-K
Heat lost by 0.1 kg of water = Heat gained by water in calorimeter + Heat gained by calorimeter
 0 . 1  4200  (60  35 )  0 . 2  4200  (35  30 )  X (35  30 )

10500 = 4200 + 5X  X = 1260 J/K

Problem 40. The graph shows the variation of temperature (T ) of one kilogram of a material with the heat (H) supplied to
it. At O, the substance is in the solid state
From the graph, we can conclude that
T
(a) T 2 is the melting point of the solid C (H3,T3) 
A(H1,T1)  D (H4,T4)
(b) BC represents the change of state from solid to liquid
 B(H2,T2)
(c) (H 2  H 1 ) represents the latent heat of fusion of the substance O H

(d) (H 3  H 1 ) represents the latent heat of vaporization of the liquid

Solution : (c) Since in the region AB temperature is constant therefore at this temperature phase of the material changes from solid
to liquid and (H2 – H1) heat will be absorb by the material. This heat is known as the heat of melting of the solid.
Similarly in the region CD temperature is constant therefore at this temperature phase of the material
changes from liquid to gas and (H4 – H3) heat will be absorb by the material. This heat as known as the heat of
vaporisation of the liquid.