TABLE OF CONTENTS

Contents Page

1. Objectives 2
2. Abstract 3
3. Results 4
4. Sample Calculations 6
5. Discussion 8
6. Conclusion 9
7. References 10
8. Appendices 11

1
OBJECTIVES

1. To explain what is thermal and electrical conductivity

2. To explain the behavior of thermal and electrical conductivity of copper and

aluminum.

3. To explain Wiedmann-Franz law.

2
ABSTRACT

In this experiment , the aim is to understand what is thermal and electrical

conductivity. Also , the objective is to understand the behavior of thermal and
electrical conductivity of copper and aluminum , and how is the Wiedeman
Franz law is related in this experiment . In order to achieve the experiment
objective , we need to consider some things including error and precautions .
We need to avoid any means that may lead to error , in order to get more
accurate results . Following the procedure thoroughly is also a need in the
experiment . Then , we need to be careful when handling the apparatus , since
most of the apparatus are sensitive .

From this experiment ,we have understand the of thermal conductivity of

copper and aluminium is 384 W/Km and 220 W/Km while electrical
conductivity of copper and aluminium is 5.33 x 107(m)-1 and 3.27 x 107(m)-1.

3
RESULTS

Part A:

Graph of temperature versus time :

Graph decrease linearly with time .

Part B :

Graph increase linearly with time .

4
Part C :

Graph decrease without pattern with time .

5
SAMPLE CALCULATION

In part A of the experiment , we calculated the heat capacity of the calorimeter

using following equation :

C = c m (w - m)/( m-r) (1)

As we know , c is specific heat of water = 4.184 . We can get mass of water by

using mass of calorimeter and mass of calorimeter with water . Applying these
formula (1) :

C = (4.184) ( 681.8 271.01 ) ( 93.3-80.5) / ( 80.5-27.5 )

= 415.09 J/C

In Part B , we calculated the addition of heat from the surroundings using the
formula :

q = T ( c m + C ) (2)

= (7.8) ( 4.184 (485.7 -271.01) + 415.09 )

= 453.59 J

In part C , in order to calculate the heat energy transported by the metal rod ,
the ambient heat fraction must be subtracted.

dQ/dtmetal = dQ/dtambientmetal - dQ/dtmetal

dQ/dt for the ambient heat can be calculated from the slope of the graph .

Given the values for the length of the rod = 31.5 cm, the area = 4.91 10-4 m2)
and the averaged temperature on the metal rod, the heat conduction number
can be calculated using equation :

6
 dQ/dt = - A x dT/dx

The following result as the average values are Al = 254 W/Km while Cu = 447
W/Km .

In part D , we calculated the electrical conductivity using the following

equation :

=I/A.R

The electrical conductivity is determined by the resistance R of the rod and its
geometric dimensions (l = 0.315 m, A = 4.91 x 10-4 m2). We will calculate the
aluminium first .

= 0.315 / (4.91 x 10-4) x 19.6

= 3.27 x 107(m)-1

We calculate the Lorenz number of aluminium by using following equation :

L=T/

= 2.5 x 10-8

Then we use the formula below to measure error :

L = 2/3 . k2/e2

= 2.44 x 10-8

Given k = 1.38 10-23 J/K and e = 1.602 10-19 AS . Percentage error is 2.4% .
Repeat all calculation using copper results .

7
DISCUSSION

In this experiment , the objective is to learn about thermal and electrical

conductivity. We calculated the thermal and electrical conductivity of copper
and aluminum.

The theoretical value of thermal conductivity of copper and aluminium is 384

W/Km and 220 W/Km while electrical conductivity of copper and aluminium is
5.33 107 (m)-1 and 3.27 107 (m)-1 while the experimental value of thermal
conductivity of copper and aluminium is 385 W/Km and 205 W/Km and
electrical conductivity of copper and aluminium is 5.96107 and 3.50107 . So ,
we can see that the experimental value differs than the theoretical value ,
which may be caused by experimental error .

The Lorenz number for the copper and aluminium is slightly different . The
Lorenz number of aluminium differs about 2.4% while the Lorenz number of
copper differs about 2.13% . This may be caused by error in obtaining results .

There are some error during the experiment that may affected the output
results . First is the reading errors, for instance the reading of the weighing
balance not taken precisely. We need to re-zero everytime we want to take
readings . Thus it might be give a slightly error in the data . If the parallax
errors occurred , it might influence the results and calculation that we got. So ,
we can take the average reading of the weighing balance . Secondly the probe
is not touching the medium properly . If the temperature probe are not in
place, the reading might not be accurate. Next , we need to set make sure
every instruments is in good condition so that the output results is accurate .

8
CONCLUSION

As a conclusion, we can say that this experiment has achieve its objectives
since we can explain what is thermal and electrical conductivity of a metal .
Also , in the end of experiment , we are able to explain the behavior of thermal
and electrical conductivity of copper and aluminum. We are also able to
understand what the Wiedeman Franz law is all about and how it is related in
this experiment . So , we can conclude that value of thermal conductivity of
copper and aluminium is 384 W/Km and 220 W/Km while electrical
conductivity of copper and aluminium is 5.33 107 (m)-1 and 3.27 107
(m)-1 . These values differs slightly from the theoretical values . Although
there a lack of technique in handling the apparatus, we managed to complete
the experiment with the guide of instructor.

9
REFERENCES

[1] Halliday, David; Resnick, Robert; & Walker, Jearl(1997). Fundamentals of

Physics (5th ed.). John Wiley and Sons, New York .

[2] Callister, William (2003). "Appendix B". Materials Science and Engineering -
An Introduction. John Wiley & Sons. p. 757.

[3] Kittel, C.; Kroemer, H. (1980). Thermal Physics. W. H. Freeman and

Company. Chapter 14.

[4] Syed Noh, Thermal Science Lab Manual, pp.9 - 15, IIUM Press, 2006

10