Question

A sample of an unknown substance has a mass of 89.5 g. If 345.2 J of heat are required to heat the substance from 285 K to 305 K, what is the specific heat of the substance?

Use the formula q = mCes001-1.jpges001-2.jpgT.

J/g•K

Answer 1

Use q = m c ΔT, so c = q / (m ΔT).

ΔT = 305 K − 285 K = 20 K
c = 345.2 J / (89.5 g × 20 K) = 345.2 / 1790 = 0.193 J/(g·K) (3 s.f.).