A 1.6 g sample of solid metal that appears to be gold required 5.8 J of energy to make an 18 ºC temperature change. What is the specific heat of this substance? Is it Gold?

Answer 1

heat = mass x specific heat x change in temperature

q = mC∆T

5.8J = (1.6 g)(C)(18º)

C = 5.8 J / (1.6 g)(18º)

C = specific heat = 0.201 J/gº

Looking up the specific heat for gold, I find it to be 0.126 J/gº

The sample does NOT appear to be gold.