Heat capacity of sodium between 0-degrees and 900-degrees-C, the triple point and heat of fusion

Abstract

Using an improved ice calorimeter and furnace, t he e nthalpy changes of two samples of pure sodium have been accurately meas ured by a drop m ethod at a number of temperatures between 0° and 900° C. Equations are derived to fit t he data, and values of enthalpy and entropy, based on zero values at 0° C, as well as the heat capacity are tabulated for both the solid and liquid. Sources of significant experime ntal error are examined critically, and some theoretical implications of t he results are discussed qualitatively.