Pangasinan State University Biophysics (BTC 105)

Lingayen, Pangasinan

Name: 1. ______________________________________ Date: ___________________

2. ______________________________________ Yr-Course: ______________

LABORATORY ACTIVITY NO. 4

(Exploring the Laws of Thermodynamics)

I. BACKGROUND

Thermodynamics is the study of energy and its transformations, dealing with the
relationships between heat, work, temperature, and energy (Drake, 2024). It provides a
framework for understanding how energy is transferred and converted in physical systems
(Drake, 2024). The laws of thermodynamics are a set of fundamental principles that govern these
processes (Drake, 2024).

The zeroth law establishes the concept of thermal equilibrium, stating that if two systems
are each in thermal equilibrium with a third system, then they are in thermal equilibrium with each
other (Wikipedia contributors, 2024), (Stewart, 2025). This law provides the basis for temperature
measurement (Drake, 2024), (Stewart, 2025).

The first law is a version of the law of conservation of energy, stating that energy cannot
be created or destroyed, but can only be transformed from one form to another (Wikipedia
contributors, 2024), (Chad’s Prep, 2025), (Khan Academy, n.d.), (Libretexts, 2022). This law
dictates that the total energy of an isolated system remains constant (Wikipedia contributors,
2024), (Stewart, 2025). In a closed system, the change in internal energy equals the difference
between the heat added to the system and the work done by the system (Wikipedia contributors,
2024).

The second law introduces the concept of entropy, indicating that natural processes tend
towards increased disorder or randomness (Wikipedia contributors, 2024), (Drake, 2024),
(Stewart, 2025). It implies that heat does not spontaneously flow from a colder to a hotter body
and that not all heat energy can be converted into work (Wikipedia contributors, 2024), (Drake,
2024), (Stewart, 2025).

The third law states that the entropy of a perfect crystal approaches zero as the
temperature approaches absolute zero (Drake, 2024), (Stewart, 2025). These laws are applicable
to a wide range of physical and biological systems, providing a comprehensive description of
energy changes and the capacity to perform useful work (Drake, 2024).

A. First Law of Thermodynamics with a Hairdryer

This activity will demonstrates that energy input equals energy
output for steady-state open systems, illustrating the first law of
thermodynamics. (Edwards, 2005)

OBJECTIVES

This laboratory activity will let the students demonstrate the first law of
thermodynamics by analyzing energy flow in an open system .

MATERIALS NEEDED

Hairdryer, thermometer, and a power meter (if available, otherwise use rated power)

PROCEDURES

1. Measure the air temperature at the inlet and outlet of the hairdryer using a thermometer.
2. Use a power meter to measure the electrical power consumed by the hairdryer. If
unavailable, use the rated power of the device.
3. Estimate the mass flow rate of air through the hairdryer.
4. Calculate the change in enthalpy of the air and compare it to the electrical power input,
accounting for possible heat loss from the dryer body to the ambient.

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Pangasinan State University Biophysics (BTC 105)
Lingayen, Pangasinan

5. Use separate page for the data gathered.

QUESTIONS TO ANSWER

1. How does a hairdryer function as an open thermodynamic system, and what forms of
energy are considered as inputs and outputs according to the first law of
thermodynamics?

2. What measurements are necessary to analyze the energy balance of a hairdryer, and
how do you determine the electrical work input, the change in enthalpy of the air, and the
heat transfer from the hairdryer to the ambient surroundings?

3. How can a pitot tube and thermocouples be used to measure the air velocity and
temperature at the outlet of the hairdryer, and why is it important to take multiple
measurements across the nozzle exit?

4. How can the mass flow rate of air through the hairdryer be estimated, and what factors
influence this rate?

5. What are the major sources of error in the hairdryer experiment, and how do these errors
affect the calculation of the energy balance and the verification of the first law of
thermodynamics?

B. Specific Heat of Metals Using Method of Mixtures

This activity applies the principle that heat lost by a warmer body
equals the heat gained by a cooler body (Laboratory 12: Three
Thermodynamics Experiments, n.d.).

OBJECTIVES

This laboratory activity will experimentally determine the specific heat of a metal using the
method of mixtures.

MATERIALS NEEDED

Metal samples (e.g., nuts, bolts), calorimeter (insulated container), thermometer, hot plate or
water bath, and water.

PROCEDURES

1. Heat a known mass of metal to a specific temperature using a water bath or hot plate.

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Pangasinan State University Biophysics (BTC 105)
Lingayen, Pangasinan

2. Measure the mass of a known quantity of water in the calorimeter. Note the water's
initial temperature.
3. Carefully transfer the heated metal into the calorimeter and stir gently.
4. Record the final equilibrium temperature of the water and metal.
5. Calculate the specific heat of the metal by setting the heat lost by the metal equal to the
heat gained by the water and the calorimeter.
6. Use separate page for the data gathered.

QUESTIONS TO ANSWER

1. How does the method of mixtures allow for the experimental determination of a metal's
specific heat capacity, and what is the fundamental principle behind this method?

2. What are the key steps in performing a method of mixtures experiment to find the specific
heat of a metal, including how to measure the initial and final temperatures, and the mass
of the metal and water?

3. How is the specific heat capacity of a metal calculated using the formula Q=mcΔT, and
how do you account for the heat gained by the calorimeter itself in the calculation?

4. What are the potential sources of error in a method of mixtures experiment, and how can
these errors be minimized to improve the accuracy of the results?

5. How can the rule of mixtures be applied to find the specific heat of a non-homogeneous
sample or a mixture, and what information is needed to use this rule effectively?

C. Exploring Entropy with Melting Ice

This activity illustrates the concept of entropy and how it
relates to energy distribution (Nikita, 2024).
OBJECTIVES

This laboratory activity will visualize entropy and energy dispersion by observing melting ice
in different liquids.

MATERIALS NEEDED

Ice cubes, various liquids (water, cooking oil, alcohol), clear containers, timer.

PROCEDURES

1. Place an ice cube in equal amounts of water, oil, and alcohol, respectively.
2. Observe the melting process and note the time it takes for the ice to melt in each liquid.
3. Compare the melting rates and discuss the differences based on the interaction between
ice and surrounding media and energy dispersion.

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Pangasinan State University Biophysics (BTC 105)
Lingayen, Pangasinan

QUESTIONS TO ANSWER
1. How does the melting of ice demonstrate an increase in entropy, and why is the entropy
of liquid water higher than that of solid ice?

2. How do the different thermal conductivities and specific heat capacities of various liquids
like water, oil, and alcohol affect the rate at which ice melts, and how does this relate to
energy transfer and entropy?

3. How can the change in entropy (ΔS) be calculated for the melting of ice at a constant
temperature, using the latent heat of fusion and the temperature in Kelvin?

4. How does the temperature of the surrounding environment affect the entropy change of
melting ice, and how does the entropy of the surroundings change in relation to the
melting ice?

5. In the context of the second law of thermodynamics, how does the melting of ice illustrate
that the total entropy of an isolated system (including both the ice and its surroundings)
increases during a spontaneous process?

D. Heat Transfer Measurements

This illustrates the first law of thermodynamics by showing
that heat is conserved in a closed system (Nikita, 2024).

OBJECTIVES

This laboratory activity will let the students measure heat lost by hot water and heat
gained by cold water when mixed.

MATERIALS NEEDED

Hot and cold water, a foam cup, a thermometer, and a graduated cylinder.

PROCEDURES
1. Measure and record the temperature of a known volume of hot water.
2. Measure and record the temperature of a known volume of cold water.
3. Combine the hot and cold water in a foam cup and stir gently.
4. Record the final temperature of the mixture and analyze the heat transfer between the
two.
5. Use separate page for the data gathered.

QUESTIONS TO ANSWER

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Pangasinan State University Biophysics (BTC 105)
Lingayen, Pangasinan

1. How can the heat transfer between hot and cold water be measured using a calorimeter,
and how does this demonstrate the first law of thermodynamics?

2. How do the thermal conductivities of different metals affect the rate of heat transfer, and
how can this be experimentally determined?

3. What is the role of thermocouples in measuring temperatures in heat transfer

experiments, and how can they be used to calculate the heat transfer coefficient in forced
convection?

4. How do different experimental setups, such as a hot plate and thermocouple probe, help
in measuring the thermal boundary layer and convective heat transfer coefficients?

5. How can electrical power be used as a heat source in heat transfer experiments, and
how can measurements of voltage and current be used to calculate the heat input?

E. Radiant Energy Absorption by Color

This activity helps student demonstrates how different
surfaces interact with radiant energy.

OBJECTIVES

This laboratory activity will let the students determine how the color of an object affects
the amount of radiant energy absorbed.

MATERIALS NEEDED

Different colored pieces of paper or cloth, a heat source (a lamp), and a thermometer.

PROCEDURES
1. Place the different colored materials under a heat source.
2. Monitor the temperature of each material over time using a thermometer.
3. Compare which material heats up the fastest.
4. Use separate page for the data gathered.

QUESTIONS TO ANSWER
1. How does the color of an object affect the amount of radiant energy it absorbs, and what
is the relationship between color and heat absorption?

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Pangasinan State University Biophysics (BTC 105)
Lingayen, Pangasinan

2. How can an infrared thermometer be used to measure the radiant energy absorbed and
re-emitted by different colors?

3. How do different wavelengths of light within the visible spectrum relate to the energy they
carry, and how does this affect the amount of energy absorbed by objects of different
colors?

4. If a colored filter is placed in front of a light source, how does it affect the color that is
reflected or absorbed by different colored objects?

5. What are some practical applications of understanding how color affects radiant energy
absorption in daily life, such as clothing choices and home design?

References:
Chad’s Prep. (2025, January 3). 18.1 The Laws of Thermodynamics - Chad's Prep®. Chad’s
Prep®. https://www.chadsprep.com/chads-general-chemistry-videos/3-laws-of-
thermodynamics-definition/
Drake, G. W. (2024, December 20). Thermodynamics | Laws, Definition, & Equations.
Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/thermodynamics
Edwards, R. (2005). A simple hairdryer experiment to demonstrate the first law of
thermodynamics. In American Society for Engineering Education, Proceedings of the
2005 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition (p.
10.85.1-10.85.3). https://peer.asee.org/a-simple-hairdryer-experiment-to-demonstrate-
the-first-law-of-thermodynamics.pdf
Khan Academy. (n.d.). https://www.khanacademy.org/science/ap-biology/cellular-
energetics/cellular-energy/a/the-laws-of-thermodynamics
Laboratory 12: Three Thermodynamics Experiments. (n.d.).
https://facultyweb.cortland.edu/douglas.armstead/S15/intermediate/
Lab12Thermodynamics.pdf
Libretexts. (2022, December 30). 3.1: The Laws of Thermodynamics. Biology LibreTexts.
https://bio.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Cell_and_Molecular_Biology/Book:_Cells_-
_Molecules_and_Mechanisms_(Wong)/03:_Bioenergetics_-
_Thermodynamics_and_Enzymes/3.01:_The_Laws_of_Thermodynamics
Nikita. (2024, November 29). Teaching Thermodynamics with Hands-On Science Experiments.
JoVE for High Schools. https://www.jove.com/schools/teaching-thermodynamics-with-
hands-on-science-experiments/
Stewart, K. (2025, January 15). Laws of thermodynamics | Definition, Physics, & Facts.
Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/laws-of-thermodynamics
Wikipedia contributors. (2024, December 23). Laws of thermodynamics. Wikipedia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laws_of_thermodynamics

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Pangasinan State University Biophysics (BTC 105)
Lingayen, Pangasinan

Rubrics in Evaluating Outputs

The laboratory report will be graded based on the following criteria:

Criteria Description Rating

1. Preparation (15 points) All materials ready and organized before the
experiment.

2. Safety Practices (10 Followed all safety protocols without reminders.

points)

3. Procedure Execution (10 Followed the procedure accurately and independently.

points)

4. Observation and Data Detailed observations recorded clearly and

Recording (10 points) systematically.

5. Cleanup and Organization Work area cleaned thoroughly and materials returned
(10 points) properly without reminders.

6. Final output presentation Detailed observations recorded clearly and

(50%) systematically. Insightful analysis of results with clear
connections to concepts of heat and kinetic theory.
Thoroughly answered all questions with clear
explanations and examples. Complete lab report.
Total Score