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ExamsLogic Revision Series | Independent study guide based on the official curriculum.
Heat Practical

Specific Latent Heat of Fusion of Ice

Leaving Cert Physics Practical Notes

These experiments show how energy moves into or out of a substance and changes its temperature or state. This page is written in simple English so students can understand the experiment, the result, and the reason behind it.

LevelHigher and Ordinary
FocusChange of state practical
Exam memory lineUse dry crushed ice so the mass you measure is really ice and not meltwater.
LevelHigher and Ordinary
AreaHeat
Main ideaSpecific Latent Heat of Fusion of Ice
What to say in classUse dry crushed ice so the mass you measure is really ice and not meltwater.
meltingboilingPlateaus show energy used for change of state, not temperature rise.
Premium practical diagram for specific latent heat of fusion of ice.

Why this practical matters

These experiments show how energy moves into or out of a substance and changes its temperature or state.

Use dry crushed ice so the mass you measure is really ice and not meltwater.

What You Need

Apparatus

  • thermometer
  • calorimeter or beaker
  • heater or hot water/steam setup
  • balance, stirrer, and insulation
  • dry crushed ice
  • filter paper or tissue

Key Formula

Q = mL

Say the formula out loud before you start the calculation. It helps students and examiners follow your logic.

How To Do It

  1. Set up the specific latent heat of fusion of ice apparatus neatly and make sure the scale or meter reading starts from a known point.
  2. Reduce heat loss where possible, stir for even temperature, and record the start and finish values clearly before doing the calculation.
  3. Use the result to explain the physics idea in simple English. Use dry crushed ice so the mass you measure is really ice and not meltwater.

Simple Explanation

Use dry crushed ice so the mass you measure is really ice and not meltwater.

In the lab, we are not just collecting numbers. We are showing a physics rule in a real and reliable way. That is why careful setup, repeat readings, and clear labelling matter so much.

Common Mistakes

  • Letting the thermometer touch the container.
  • Not stirring the liquid.
  • Using wet ice when dry ice is needed.

Exam Tips

  • Mention insulation and lids in exam answers.
  • Explain why a steady final temperature matters.
  • State the energy balance in words and in symbols.
  • State the observation, the method, and the conclusion in that order.

Simulator / Quick Check

Specific Latent Heat of Fusion of Ice simulator
Enter values and press Run.