What determines specific heat capacity of a solid?

In summary, the conversation was about a write-up for an experiment on specific heat capacity of metals. The experiment involved heating 50g of nickel and lead to 90C and then placing them in 50g of water to measure the change in temperature. The results showed that lead has a lower specific heat capacity. The conversation also touched on the factors that determine specific heat capacity, such as the number of moles and bonds in a substance. The Dulong-Petit law was mentioned as a potential explanation for the observed results.
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Crushgear64
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Homework Statement


Have to do a write up of an experiment on specific heat capacity of metals. Tested 50g of nickel and lead, each heated to 90C and then put into 50g of water and measuring the change in its temperature. Found that lead has a lower specific heat capacity.

Homework Equations



What determines the specific heat capacity?

The Attempt at a Solution



I found that there are more mols of nickel?
Also I know that it's the bonds for things like water which affect the heat capacity, but I'm not sure how to apply this to a solid metal.
 
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Related to What determines specific heat capacity of a solid?

1. What is specific heat capacity?

Specific heat capacity is the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of one gram of a substance by one degree Celsius.

2. How is specific heat capacity measured?

Specific heat capacity is typically measured using a calorimeter, which is a device that can accurately measure the amount of heat absorbed or released by a substance.

3. What factors determine the specific heat capacity of a solid?

The specific heat capacity of a solid is determined by its mass, composition, and molecular structure. Different substances have different arrangements of atoms and molecules, which can affect how much heat energy is required to raise their temperature.

4. Why do different substances have different specific heat capacities?

The specific heat capacity of a substance depends on the strength and type of intermolecular forces present in the substance. For example, substances with strong intermolecular forces, such as water, have a higher specific heat capacity compared to substances with weaker forces, such as metals.

5. Can the specific heat capacity of a solid change?

The specific heat capacity of a solid can change depending on the temperature and pressure it is exposed to. In general, the specific heat capacity of most solids increases as the temperature increases, and decreases with increasing pressure.

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