Calculating Specific Heat Capacity: Solving for Unknown Variables

How much heat will be gained by the water? How much heat will be lost by the metal? What is the specific heat capacity of the metal?In summary, the specific heat capacity of the metal can be calculated using the equation Q=mc∆t, where Q is the heat gained by the metal and lost by the water. The final temperature of 336 K can be used to determine the change in temperature and the specific heat capacity of the metal. The answer should be 1.90 kJ/(kgK).
  • #1
rrosa522
48
0

Homework Statement


When 1.25 kg of a cold metal at a temperature
of 263 K was immersed in 1.43 kg of water at
a temperature of 365 K, the final temperature
was 336 K. What is the specific heat capacity
of the metal?

Homework Equations


Q=mc∆t
-Q=Q[/B]

The Attempt at a Solution


The answer should be 1.90KJ(kg*K)[/B]
 
Last edited:
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  • #2
rrosa522 said:

Homework Statement


When 1.25 kg of a cold metal at a temperature
of 263 K was immersed in 1.43 kg of water at
a temperature of 365 K, the final temperature
was 336 K. What is the specific heat capacity
of the metal?

Homework Equations


Q=mc∆t
-Q=Q[/B]

The Attempt at a Solution


The answer should be 1.90KJ(kg*K)[/B]
Heat gained by metal = heat lost by water.
 
  • #3
rrosa522 said:

The Attempt at a Solution


The answer should be 1.90KJ(kg*K)[/B]

That's not an attempt at a solution.
 
  • #4
CWatters said:
That's not an attempt at a solution.
And there are a couple of typos as well, it should be written as 1.90 kJ/(kgK)
 
Last edited:
  • #5
Well, you have the right equation there. How much will the temperatures change?
 

Related to Calculating Specific Heat Capacity: Solving for Unknown Variables

1. What is specific heat capacity?

Specific heat capacity, also known as specific heat, is the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of one unit of a substance by one degree Celsius. It is a measure of how much heat a substance can hold and how quickly it can absorb or release heat.

2. How do you calculate specific heat capacity?

To calculate specific heat capacity, you divide the amount of heat energy transferred to a substance by the change in temperature and the mass of the substance. The formula is Q = mcΔT, where Q is heat energy, m is mass, c is specific heat capacity, and ΔT is the change in temperature.

3. What are the units for specific heat capacity?

The units for specific heat capacity are joules per kilogram per degree Celsius (J/kg·°C) in the SI system and calories per gram per degree Celsius (cal/g·°C) in the metric system.

4. How does specific heat capacity differ between substances?

Specific heat capacity varies between substances because it depends on the chemical makeup and structure of the substance. For example, water has a higher specific heat capacity than most other substances, meaning it can hold more heat energy and takes longer to heat up or cool down.

5. Why is specific heat capacity important in science?

Specific heat capacity is important in science because it helps us understand how different substances react to heat energy. It also plays a role in many everyday processes, such as cooking and weather patterns. Additionally, specific heat capacity is used in thermodynamics and other fields of science to study the properties of materials.

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