Chapter 17.1, Problem 3SP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The specific heat of the olive oil is to be found using the given data.

Concept introduction: The quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of a substance by one degree Celsius is called the specific heat capacity.

Mathematically it is represented by

  $Q=m\times C\times \Delta T$

  $Q$ = Heat absorbed

  $m$ = mass of the substance

  $C$ = heat capacity of the substance

  $\Delta T$ = change in temperature

Answer to Problem 3SP

The specific heat of the olive oil is $1.99\text{J/g°C}$

Explanation of Solution

It is given that $435\text{J}$ of heat is added to $3.4\text{g}$ of olive oil at $21°\text{C}$ and the temperature is increased to $85°\text{C}$$.$

Putting in the values, we get:

  $Q$ = Heat absorbed = $435\text{J}$

  $m$ = mass of the substance = $3.4\text{g}$

  $C$ = heat capacity of the olive oil = ?

  $\Delta T$ = change in temperature = $85\text{°C}-21\text{°C}=64\text{°C}$

Putting in the values we get,

  $\begin{array}{l}435\text{J}=3.4\text{g}\times C\times 64\text{°C}\\ \text{C=1}\text{.99J/g°C}\end{array}$