Chapter 15.2, Problem 12PP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The specific heat of an unknown metal is to be calculated for a given amount and rise in temperature.

Concept introduction: Specific heat is defined as the quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of one gram substance by one degree Celsius. It is represented by ‘c’.

Answer to Problem 12PP

The specific heat of metal is $0.241J/g-°C$ .

Explanation of Solution

The quantity of heat required can be calculated by using the formula:

  $\begin{array}{l}q=mc\Delta T\\ \text{where}q\text{is}\text{quantity}\text{of}\text{heat}\text{absorbed}\\ m=\text{given}\text{mass}\\ \Delta T=\text{change}\text{in}\text{temperature}\\ c\text{is}\text{specific}\text{heat}\\ \therefore c=\frac{q}{m\Delta T}\end{array}$

Given data:

  $\begin{array}{l}m=\text{90}\text{g}\\ \Delta T=\text{1}\text{.18}\text{°C}\\ q=\text{25}\text{.6}\text{J}\end{array}$

Substituting the values in formula:

  $\begin{array}{c}c=\frac{q}{m\Delta T}\\ \text{=}\frac{\text{25}\text{.6}}{\text{90×1}\text{.18}}\\ \text{=0}\text{.241}\text{J/g-}\text{°C}\end{array}$

Conclusion

Thus, specific heat of metal is $0.241J/g-°C$ .