Question

A 55.9 g sample of water at 99.2 °c is placed in a constant pressure calorimeter. then, 23.9 g of zinc metal at 21.1 °c is added to the water and the temperature drops to 96.9 °c. what is the specific heat capacity of the zinc metal measured in this experiment?

Answer 1

Heat released by the water: mass * specific heat * ΔT

Heat released by the water = 55.9 g * 1 cal / (°C g) * (99.2 - 96.9 )°C

Heat absorbed by the zinc metal = mass * specifi heat * ΔT

Heat absorbed by the zinc metal =  23.9 g * Cp * (96.9 - 21.1) °C

Heat absorbed by zinc metal = heat released by water

=> 23.9 * Cp * 75.8 = 55.9 * 1 * 2.3

=> Cp = 128.57 / 1811.62 = 0.0071 cal / (g°C)

Answer: 0.0071 cal / (g°C)