How to measure specific heat capacity of a metal

Measure the mass of an empty beaker. Make sure to record the mass in kg.

Add room temp water - enough to cover metal sample.

Measure new mass - subtract empty beaker's mass to know mass of the water. Make sure to use kg.

Find the temperature of the water at the instant before adding your hot metal.

Metal is heated in hot water bath. Record the temperature of the hot metal. (it is the same as the hot water)

Use the tongs to carefully pick up the metal sample and be ready to transfer it - but keep it in the water. Make sure the water temperature of the cool water has not changed since you recorded it.

Transfer the metal QUICKLY to the cool water and watch the temperature - stirring a little until it stabilizes. Record the stable temperature.

Dry the metal sample.

Measure the mass of the sample - be sure to record the mass in kg.

Do the math. Remember that c for water is 4.186 J/g-°C and you'll solve for the c for the metal. Huge source of error in this lab- heat lost be metal as it is transferred to water.