Question

An electronic circuit element consists of 23 mg of silicon. An electric current through the circuit adds heat at a rate of 7.4 x 10-3 J/s. At what rate does the temperature of the circuit element increase? Assume that heat does not transfer from the circuit element to the environment. The specific heat capacity of silicon is .

Answer 1

Given that all the heat is absorbed by the silicon element, the calculation is:


Heat = m* specific heat * ΔT


Heat rate = heat / time = m * specif heat * ΔT / time


Where ΔT / time = temperature change rate, which is what you want to calculate


=> ΔT / time = heat rate / (m*specific heat)


You have:


heat rate = 7.4 * 10 ^-3 J/s

m = 23 mg = 23 * 10^ -3 g

Specific heat = 0.7 J / (g * °C), taken from internet because you forgo to include the information.


=> ΔT / t = [7.4 * 10^ -3 J/s ] / [ 23 * 10^ -3 g * 0.7 J/ (g*°C) ]


=> ΔT / t = 0.46 °C / s


Answer: 0.46°C / s