The Specific Heat of Copper Calculation

The temperature of a 95.4 g piece of Cu increases from 25.0 °C to 48.0 °C when the Cu absorbs 849 J of heat.

Answer: 0.387 J/g°C

Explanation: To calculate the specific heat of copper, we use the formula Q = mcΔT. Where Q represents the heat absorbed or released, m is the mass of the substance, c is the specific heat, and ΔT is the change in temperature.

In this question, the given values are:

  • Mass of copper, m = 95.4 g
  • Initial temperature = 25 °C
  • Final temperature = 48 °C
  • Change in temperature, ΔT = 23 °C
  • Quantity of heat absorbed, Q = 849 J

We need to calculate the specific heat capacity of copper using the formula c = Q ÷ mΔT.

Plugging in the values:

Specific heat capacity, c = 849 J ÷ (95.4 g × 23 °C)

= 0.3869 J/g°C

= 0.387 J/g°C

Therefore, the specific heat capacity of copper is 0.387 J/g°C.

How is the specific heat capacity of a substance calculated?

The specific heat capacity of a substance is calculated by using the formula Q = mcΔT, where Q is the heat absorbed or released, m is the mass of the substance, c is the specific heat, and ΔT is the change in temperature. By rearranging the formula, we can find the specific heat capacity of the substance.

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