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.