Question

I am so lost, and suggestions to how I can solve this?

A sample of nickel ( specific heat capacity 0.446J/goC) is heated to 255.5oC and placed in a coffee cup calorimeter containing 250.0 g of water at a temperature of 20.0oC. Calculate the mass of the nickel sample in grams, if the final temperature of the system is 35.5oC. The heat capacity of H2O is 4.18 J/gC.

Answer 1

165.078 g

Step-by-step explanation:

We are given;

• Specific heat capacity of nickel as 0.446 J/g°C
• Initial temperature of nickel is 255.5 °C
• Mass of water in the calorimeter is 250.0 g
• Initial temperature of water is 20° C
• Final temperature of the mixture is 35.5°C

• Specific heat capacity of water is 4.18 J/g°C

We are required to calculate the mass of nickel sample;

Step 1: Calculate the amount of heat absorbed by water.

We know that quantity of heat absorbed, Q = m × c × ΔT

Change in temperature, ΔT = 35.5°C - 20°C

= 15.5 °C

Therefore, Q = 250 g × 4.1 J/g°C × 15.5° C

= 16,197.5 Joules

Step 2: Calculate the amount of heat released by nickel sample

Assuming the mass of nickel sample is m

Then, Heat released, Q = m × c × ΔT

Change in temperature, ΔT = 255.5 °C - 35.5 ° C

= 220 °C

Q = m × 0.446 J/g°C × 220° C

= 98.12m joules

Step 3: Determine the mass of nickel sample

We know that the amount of heat absorbed is equivalent to amount of heat released.

That is, Quantity of heat absorbed = Quantity of heat released

Therefore;

98.12 m joules = 16,197.5 Joules

m = 165.078 g

Thus, the mass of nickel sample is 165.078 g