Question

The specific heat capacity of an unknown metal was determined following Part A of the Experimental Procedure in this experiment. The following table is for Trial 1.

Mass of unknown metal (g) 15.45

Temperature of unknown metal (oC) 95.4

Mass of water(g) 100.0

The specific heat of water (J/g.oC) 4.184

Temperature of water (oC) 23.0

Maximum temperature of water (oC) 25.8

Calculate the specific heat capacity of unknown metal (J/g.^oC) _____

Answer 1

Heat loss of metal = Heat gain of water

Let the specific heat of the unknown metal be c J/g ^oC

Q(denoting heat energy loss/gain) = (m) x (c) x (Change in temperature),

where m= mass in g and c= specific heat capacity.

So, using this,

Heat loss by metal= (15.45 g) x (c J/g ^oC) x {(95.4-25.8) ^oC}

                            = (15.45 x c x 69.6) J

                           = 1075.32 J

Heat gain of water= (100 g) x (4.18 J/g ^oC) {(25.8 – 23.0) ^oC}

                               = 1170.4 J

SInce heat loss by metal = heat gain by water

1075.32 c = 1170.40

C = 1170.40 / 1075.32 = 1.09

So, specific heat capacity of unknown metal (J/g.oC) 1.09