Question

The specific heat of gold is 0.031 calories/gram°C. If 10.0 grams of gold were heated and the temperature of the sample changed by 20.0°C, how many calories of heat energy were absorbed by the sample?

Answer 1

Answer : The heat energy absorbed by the sample was 6.2 calories.

Explanation :

Formula used :

`Q=m* c* \Delta T`

where,

Q = heat absorbed = ?

m = mass of gold = 10.0 g

c = specific heat of gold =
`0.031cal/g^oC`

`\Delta T` = change in temperature =
`20.0^oC`

Now put all the given value in the above formula, we get:

`Q=10.0g* 0.031cal/g^oC* 20.0^oC`

`Q=6.2cal`

Therefore, the heat energy absorbed by the sample was 6.2 calories.

Answer 2

10 grams of gold would have a specific heat of 0.31 calories ie 10 x 0.031 and if heated up by 20.0 degrees centigrade then 20.0 x 0.31 would be a 6.2 calorie increase in heat. In other words, the specific heat means that it is the calories produced in the gram of gold by a 1 degree rise in degrees centigrade.