Question

a 98.5g bar was heated to 221.3C and placed in a coffee cup calorimeter containing 425.0 ml of water at 22.5C. what is the specific heat of copper?

Answer 1

Cp = 0.00204 J/g °C

Step-by-step explanation

Given:

Mass of copper = 98.5 g

Initial temperature of copper = 221.3C

Volume of water = 425.0 ml = 0.425 L

Final temperature = 22.5C

Required: Specific heat of copper

Solution

Q = m x Cp x Dt where Q is the heat, m is the mass, Cp is the specific heat capacity and Dt is the change in temperature.

Step 1: Calculate the mass of water

density = mass/volume

mass = density x volume

mass = 1 g/L x 0.425 L

mass = 0.425 g

Step 2: Calculate Cp

Q metal = -Qwater

m x Cp x Dt = -(m x Cp x Dt)

98.5g x Cp x (22.5-221.3 C) = -(0.425g x 4.184 j/gC x 22.5)

-19581.8 g Cp = -40.0095

Cp = 0.00204 J/g °C