Question

The temperature of a 2.0 kg block increases by 5 0c when 2,000 j of thermal energy are added to the block. What is the block's specific heat?

Answer 1

Mass of the block = 2 kg

Temperature is increased by ΔT = 50 °C

Energy consumed by the block in raising the temperature = 2000 Joules

Let the specific heat capacity of the block be "c".

Formula to be used:

Heat gained = m × c × ΔT

Plugging the values:

2000 = 2 × c × 50

$c = \frac{2000}{2\times 50}$

c = 20 J/ kg °C

Hence, the specific heat capacity of the block is: 20 J/ kg °C