If a 20.0 g object at a temperature of 35.0∘C has a specific heat of 2.89Jg∘C, and it releases 450. J into the atmosphere, what will be the final temperature of the object?

Question

If a 20.0 g object at a temperature of 35.0∘C has a specific heat of 2.89Jg∘C, and it releases 450. J into the atmosphere, what will be the final temperature of the object?

Answer 1

We are essentially being asked to find the change in temperature (∆T) given the mass, the specific heat and the amount of heat being lost. Thus, from q = mC∆T we have ...

450 J = (20.0 g)(2.89 J/g/deg)(∆T)

∆T = 450 J/(20.0 g)(2.89 J/g/deg)

∆T = 7.79 degrees

Since heat is being released from the object, the temperature of the object will decrease by this amount. Thus

final temperature of the object = 35.0ºC - 7.79ºC = 27.2ºC