Question

A 45.0 g block of an unknown metal is heated in a hot water bath to 100.0°c. when the block is placed in an insulated vessel containing 130.0 g of water at 25.0°c, the final temperature is 28.0°c. determine the specific heat of the unknown metal. the cs for water is 4.18 j/g°c.

Answer 1

Let's apply the principle of conservation of energy.

Heat of metal = Heat of water
mCmetalΔT = mCwaterΔT

Applying the given values,

(45 g)(Cmetal)(100 - 28 °C) = (130 g)(4.18 J/g-°C)(28 - 25 °C)
Solving for Cmetal,
Cmetal = 0.503 J/g°C

Therefore, the heat capacity of the unknown metal is 0.503 J/g°C.