Question

A certain substance changes temperature from 14°C to 48°C. The substance is also known to have a mass of 20 kg. If the substance gained 800 kJ of heat during this temperature change, then what is the specific heat of this substance?

Answer 1

The substance has a specific heat of 1.176 J/g°C

Step-by-step explanation:

Step 1: Data given

Temperature change = 34 °C

Mass of the substance = 20 kg = 20000 grams

The substance gained 800 kJ of heat during this temperature change

Step 2: Calculate the specific heat

q = m*c*ΔT

⇒ with q = heat gained = 800 kJ = 800000 J

⇒ with m = the mass of the substance = 20 kg = 20000 grams

⇒ with c = the specific heat of the substance = TO BE DETERMINED

⇒ with ΔT = the change of temperature = T2 -T1 = 48° - 14 ° = 34°

c = q/(m*ΔT)

c = 800000 / (20000 * 34)

c = 1.176 J/g°C

The substance has a specific heat of 1.176 J/g°C