Final answer:
When an iron nail absorbs heat, it experiences a temperature increase or decrease depending on the specific heat capacity. To determine the specific heat of a material, we can use the formula q = mcΔT and calculate it using the given information.
Step-by-step explanation:
When an iron nail with a mass of 12 g absorbs 20 J of heat, it does not undergo a phase change, emit light, or maintain a constant temperature. Instead, it experiences a temperature increase or decrease depending on the specific heat capacity of the material. To determine the specific heat of a material, you can use the formula: q = mcΔT.
where q is the heat absorbed, m is the mass, c is the specific heat capacity, and ΔT is the change in temperature. In the given question, the metal piece absorbs 1.43 kJ of heat, and its temperature increases from 24.5 °C to 39.1 °C. By substituting these values into the formula, you can calculate the specific heat and potentially identify the metal.