Question

g 32.53 g of a solid is heated to 100.oC and added to 50.0 g of water in a coffee cup calorimeter and the contents are allowed to sit until they finally have the same temperature. The water temperature changes from 25.36 oZ to 34.4 oC. What is the specific heat capacity (in J/goC) of the solid

Answer 1

0.886 J/g.°C

Step-by-step explanation:

Step 1: Calculate the heat absorbed by the water

We will use the following expression

Q = c × m × ΔT

where,

• Q: heat

• c: specific heat capacity

• m: mass

• ΔT: change in the temperature

Q(water) = c(water) × m(water) × ΔT(water)

Q(water) = 4.184 J/g.°C × 50.0 g × (34.4 °C - 25.36 °C) = 1.89 × 10³ J

According to the law of conservation of energy, the sum of the energy lost by the solid and the energy absorbed by the water is zero.

Q(water) + Q(solid) = 0

Q(solid) = -Q(water) = -1.89 × 10³ J

Step 2: Calculate the specific heat capacity of the solid

We will use the following expression.

Q(solid) = c(solid) × m(solid) × ΔT(solid)

c(solid) = Q(solid) / m(solid) × ΔT(solid)

c(solid) = (-1.89 × 10³ J) / 32.53 g × (34.4 °C - 100. °C) = 0.886 J/g.°C