Question

When 1.00 g of coal is burned in a bomb calorimeter, the temperature increases by 1.48°C. If the heat capacity of the calorimeter is 21.6 kJ/°C, determine the heat (in GJ) produced by combustion of a ton of coal.

Answer 1

32.0 kJ

General Formulas and Concepts:

Thermochemistry

Specific Heat Formula: q = mcΔT

• q is heat (in J)
• m is mass (in g)
• c is specific heat (in J/g °C)
• ΔT is change in temperature (in °C)

Step-by-step explanation:

Step 1: Define

Identify variables

[Given] m = 1.00 g

[Given] ΔT = 1.48 °C

[Given] c = 21.6 kJ/g °C

[Solve] q

Step 2: Find Heat

1. Substitute in variables [Specific Heat Formula]: q = (1.00 g)(21.6 kJ/g °C)(1.48 °C)
2. Multiply [Cancel out units]: q = (21.6 kJ/°C)(1.48 °C)
3. Multiply [Cancel out units]: q = 31.968 kJ

Step 3: Check

Follow sig fig rules and round. We are given 3 sig figs.

31.968 kJ ≈ 32.0 kJ