Question

If equal masses of aluminum and copper are heated with same amount of heat, which would reach the higher temperature? Explain your answer .

Answer 1

Answer:

copper will reach to higher temperature first.

Explanation:

Specific heat capacity:

It is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one gram of substance by one degree.

Formula:

Q = m.c. ΔT

Q = amount of heat absorbed or released

m = mass of given substance

c = specific heat capacity of substance

ΔT = change in temperature

The substances with higher value of specific heat capacity require more heat to raise the temperature by one degree as compared the substances having low value of specific heat capacity.For example,

The specific heat capacity of copper is 0.386 j/g. K and for aluminium is 0.900 j/g.K. So, aluminium take a time to increase its temperature by one degree by absorbing more heat while copper will heat up faster by absorbing less amount of heat.

Consider that both copper and aluminium have same mass of 5g and change in temperature is 15 K. Thus amount of heat thy absorbed to raise the temperature is,

For copper:

Q = m.c. ΔT

Q = 5 g× 0.386 j/g K × 15 K

Q = 28.95 j

For aluminium:

Q = m.c. ΔT

Q = 5 g× 0.900 j/g K × 15 K

Q = 67.5 j

we can observe that aluminium require more heat which is 67.5 j to increase its temperature.  So it will reach to higher temperature later as compared to copper.