Question

If the same amount of heat is supplied to samples of 10.0 gg each of aluminum, iron, and copper all at 15.0°C, which sample would reach the highest temperature?

1) Aluminum
2) Iron
3) Copper

Answer 1

Copper will reach the highest temperature when the same amount of heat is supplied to aluminum, iron, and copper because it has the lowest specific heat capacity.

Step-by-step explanation:

When the same amount of heat is supplied to samples of aluminum, iron, and copper, all initially at 15.0°C, the sample that will reach the highest temperature is determined by the specific heat capacity of the metals. The specific heat capacity is the amount of heat per unit mass required to raise the temperature by one degree Celsius. The specific heat capacities of these metals at 25°C are approximately 0.900 J/g for aluminum, 0.450 J/g for iron, and 0.386 J/g for copper.

To reach the highest temperature, the metal must have the lowest specific heat capacity because less heat will be required to raise the temperature of the substance. Thus, with the lowest specific heat capacity, copper will have the highest temperature rise upon adding the same amount of heat to each sample.