Question

The temperature of a piece of copper with a mass of 95.4g increases from 298.0K to 321.1K when the metal absorbs 849J of energy as heat. What is the specific heat of copper?

(a) 0.385 J/g·K
(b) 0.476 J/g·K
(c) 0.536 J/g·K
(d) 0.613 J/g·K

Answer 1

The specific heat of copper is calculated using the formula Q = mcΔT. Given the values for heat energy absorbed, mass of the copper, and change in temperature, the specific heat comes out to be 0.385 J/g·K.

Step-by-step explanation:

To calculate the specific heat of copper, we use the formula that relates heat energy (Q), mass (m), specific heat capacity (c), and the change in temperature (ΔT)

The formula is Q = mcΔT, where:

• Q is the heat energy absorbed, which is 849J.
• m is the mass of the copper, which is 95.4g.
• ΔT is the change in temperature, calculated as 321.1K - 298.0K = 23.1K.

Rearranging the formula to find 'c' gives us c = Q / (mΔT).

Substituting the values into this equation, we get c = 849J / (95.4g × 23.1K) = 0.385 J/g·K.

Therefore, the correct answer is (a) 0.385 J/g·K.