Question

A 20.0g sample of metal with a specific heat of 5 J/(g°C) raised it's initial temperature to 40.0 when 500J heat was added. What was the initial temperature of the metal?

Answer 1

The initial temperature of the metal = 35 °C

Further explanation

Heat can be formulated :

Q = m . c . ΔT

Q = heat, J

c = specific heat, J/g C

ΔT = temperature, °C

m = 20 g

c = 5 J/(g°C)

Q = 500 J

T₁ = 40 C

the initial temperature :

$\tt \Delta t(T_2-T_1)=\dfrac{Q}{m.c}\\\\40-T_1=\dfrac{500}{20.5}\\\\40-T_1=5\\\\T_1=35^oC$