Final answer:
To calculate specific heat, use the formula ∆Q / (m × ∆T) where heat absorbed is ∆Q, mass is m, and change in temperature is ∆T. For a 25.0 g metal sample absorbing 625 J and temperature changing from 30.6°C to 86.1°C, the specific heat is calculated as 0.450 J/g°C.
Step-by-step explanation:
Calculating Specific Heat
To calculate specific heat (j/g°C) for a given sample, you can use the formula:
specific heat = ∆Q / (m × ∆T)
where ∆Q is the amount of heat absorbed (in joules), m is the mass of the substance (in grams), and ∆T is the change in temperature (in Celsius).
In this case, the student's question involves a 25.0 g sample of metal absorbing 625 joules of heat, with a temperature increase from 30.6°C to 86.1°C.
∆T (change in temperature) = 86.1°C - 30.6°C = 55.5°C
Now we can substitute the values into the formula:
specific heat = 625 J / (25.0 g × 55.5°C)
specific heat = 625 J / (1387.5 g°C)
specific heat = 0.450 J/g°C
The specific heat for the metal is therefore 0.450 J/g°C. This measurement indicates how much heat is needed to raise the temperature of 1 gram of the metal by 1°C.