Re: [Phys-l] Thermal mass

[John Denker <jsd@av8n.com>]

On 04/23/2011 06:00 AM, Dr Holly Priestley wrote:
> For our next meeting we are asked to try and find laboratory experience/s
> that deal with thermal mass 

1) The "thermal mass" is more appropriately called the _heat capacity_.
 The study of such things is called _calorimetry_.

2) Using the conventional terminology is a virtue unto itself.

3a) Sometimes virtue is its own reward.  If you google for things like
   http://www.google.com/search?q=heat-capacity+demonstration
   http://www.google.com/search?q=heat-capacity+science-fair
   http://www.google.com/search?q=styrofoam+calorimeter

you can find hundreds of experiments and demonstrations.

3b) Note that the calorimeter can be used to measure various things
 other than heat capacity.  That is, you can use its calibrated heat 
 capacity to measure other things.  For example: 
  -- It can be used as a bolometer to measure how much solar energy 
   is absorbed under various conditions.
  -- Conversely it can be used to measure how much energy is lost to
   evaporation under various conditions.
  -- et cetera