Question

I am in need of help about this specific heat question.

A 100.0g sample of aluminum released 1680 calories when cooled from 100.0 degrees C ti 20.0 degrees C. What is the specific heat of the metal?

I tried setting it up:


1680 cal
________________________
100.0 (100.0 *C- 20.0 *C

i don't believe i set it up correctly.

thank you for your help!!

Answer 1

YOu did set up correctly. Units you used are calories/g-C

Answer 2

That looks ok to me.
I would have done it this way.
q = maxx x sp.H. x (Tfinal-Tinitial)
-1680 = 100 * sp.H.*(20-100)
which gives a negative numerator and a negative denominator BUT the numbers are the same and the - divided by a - is a +. I think 0.21 cal/g is the correct answer.