Final answer:
The specific heat capacity of the substance is calculated using the formula q = m × c × ΔT, with the measured values plugged in, resulting in a specific heat capacity of 0.235 J/g°C, rounded to three significant digits.
Step-by-step explanation:
The heat capacity of a substance is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of that substance by 1°C. To find the specific heat capacity of a substance, we use the formula q = m × c × ΔT, where q is the amount of heat in joules, m is the mass of the substance in grams, c is the specific heat capacity in J/g°C, and ΔT is the change in temperature in degrees Celsius.
Given a 194.0 mg (0.194 g) sample of a substance and 1.01 J of heat needed to raise its temperature from -4.6 °C to 17.6 °C, the temperature change (ΔT) is 17.6 °C - (-4.6 °C) = 22.2 °C.
Applying the formula and solving for c, we get c = q / (m × ΔT) = 1.01 J / (0.194 g × 22.2 °C) = 0.235 J/g°C, rounded to three significant digits.