Question

A substance releases 2,192 J of heat, changing its temperature from 50 degrees C to 5 degrees C. The mass of the substance is 73.9 grams. What is the specific heat of the substance? Round your answer to TWO digits after the decimal point.

Answer 1

The specific heat capacity of the given substance is -0.66 J/g°C.

Explanation:

The heat absorbed by any substance is the product of its mass, specific heat capacity and change in temperature.

q = m × c × ΔT

m is the mass in grams

q = amount of heat released or absorbed in J

ΔT = change in temperature in °C = 5 -50 = -45°C

c = specific heat capacity in J/g°C

c = $\frac{q}{m \times dT}$

Plugin the values, we will get,

c = $\frac{2192 }{73.9 \times-45}$

= -0.66 J/g°C