Question

Determine the specific heat of a certain metal if a 450 gram sample of it loses 34 500 Joules of heat as its temperature starts at 150 oC and drops to 53 oC.

Answer 1

c = 0.4356 J/gK

Step-by-step explanation:

Given the following data;

Mass = 450 grams

Initial temperature, T1 = 150°C

Final temperature, T2 = 53°C

Quantity of heat = 34500 Joules

To find the specific heat capacity of the metal;

Heat capacity is given by the formula;

`Q = mcdt`

Where;

Q represents the heat capacity or quantity of heat.

m represents the mass of an object.

c represents the specific heat capacity of water.

dt represents the change in temperature.

dt = T2 - T1

dt = 53 - 150

dt = -97°C

Converting the temperature in Celsius to Kelvin, we have;

dt = 273 + (-97) = 176 Kelvin

Making c the subject of formula, we have;

`c = \frac {Q}{mdt}`

Substituting into the equation, we have;

`c = \frac {34500}{450*176}`

`c = \frac {34500}{79200}`

c = 0.4356 J/gK