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What is the formula to use when measuring specific heat capacity by method of mixtures?

User Alen S Thomas
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1 Answer

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Answer: Cs = [m1c1(T - T1) + mcCc(T - Ts)]/Ms(Ts - T)

Step-by-step explanation:

The concept of heat exchange which is expressed as

heat lost by a hot body = heat gained by a cold body

The specific heat of a solid substance as determined by the method of mixture using the heat exchange concept would be

Heat lost by substance = heat gained by liquid + heat gained by calorimeter

Thus,

MsCs(Ts - T) = m1c1(T - T1) + mcCc(T - Tc)

Dividing both sides by Ms(Ts - T)

The formula for calculating the specific heat capacity by method of mixtures is

Cs = [m1c1(T - T1) + mcCc(T - Ts)]/Ms(Ts - T)

Where

m1 = mass of liquid

c1 = specific heat of liquid

ms = mass of substance

Cs =specific heat of substance

mc = mass of calorimeter

Cc = specific heat of material used in making the calorimeter

T = Final temperature of the mixture

T1 = initial temperature of the liquid

Ts = initial temperature of the substance

User AlexioVay
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