The temperature of a 95.4 g piece of Cu increases from 25.0 °C to 48.0 °C when the Cu absorbs 849 J of heat. What is the specifc heat of Cu

0.387 J/g°C

Explanation: To calculate the amount of heat absorbed or released by a substance we need to know its mass, change in temperature and its specific heat capacity. Then to get quantity of heat absorbed or lost we multiply mass by specific heat capacity and change in temperature. That is, Q = mcΔT

in our question we are given;

Mass of copper, m as 95.4 g

Initial temperature = 25 °C

Final temperature = 48 °C

Thus, change in temperature, ΔT = 23°C

Quantity of heat absorbed, Q as 849 J

We are required to calculate the specific heat capacity of copper

Rearranging the formula we get

c = Q : mΔT

Therefore,

Specific heat capacity, c = 849 J : (95.4 g * 23°C)

= 0.3869 J/g°C

= 0.387 J/g°C

Therefore, the specific heat capacity of copper is 0.387 J/g°C