Final answer:
The change in temperature of the silver sample when 40.5 J of heat is added to a 15.4 g sample with a specific heat capacity of 0.235 J/g°C is approximately 11.2°C. This corresponds to option C: 11.2°C.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the change in temperature (ΔT) of the silver sample when heat is added, we can use the formula Q = mcΔT, where Q is the heat added, m is the mass of the substance, c is the specific heat capacity, and ΔT is the change in temperature.
Given that Q is 40.5 J, m is 15.4 g, and the specific heat capacity (c) of silver is 0.235 J/g°C, the formula becomes:
40.5 J = (15.4 g)(0.235 J/g°C)ΔT
To solve for ΔT, we divide both sides of the equation by the product of the mass and the specific heat capacity:
ΔT = 40.5 J / (15.4 g × 0.235 J/g°C) ≈ 11.2°C
Therefore, the change in temperature of the silver sample is approximately 11.2°C, which corresponds to option C: 11.2°C.