A 55.4 g sample of water at 99.61 °C is placed in a constant pressure calorimeter. Then, 23.4 g of zinc metal at 21.6 °C is added to the water and the temperature drops to 96.4 °C. What is the specific heat capacity of the zinc metal measured in this experiment?

The specific heat capacity of the zinc metal measured in this experiment is 0.427 J/g.°C

Explanation:

From the experimental data, the water loses heat because its initial temperature is greater than the final temperature of the mixture. On the other hand, the zinc metal gains heat because its initial temperature is less than the final temperature of the mixture

Heat loss by water = Heat gain by zinc metal

m1C1 (T1 - T3) = m2C2 (T3 - T2)

m1 is mass of water = 55.4 g

C1 is specific heat capacity of water = 4.2 J/g.°C

m2 is mass of zinc metal = 23.4 g

C2 is specific heat capacity of zinc metal

T1 is the initial temperature of water = 99.61 °C

T2 is the initial temperature of zinc metal = 21.6 °C

T3 is the final temperature of the mixture = 96.4 °C

55.4*4.2 (99.61 - 96.4) = 23.4*C2 (96.4 - 21.6)

746.9028 = 1750.32C2

C2 = 746.9028/1750.32 = 0.427 J/g.°C