What was the initial temperature if 1045 joules were applied to 100 grams of gold and the final temperature of the gold was 175oC? The specific heat capacity of gold is 0.13 J/goC.

Answer 1

q = m c ΔT

q = 1045 J

m = 100 g

c = 0.13 J/g °C

ΔT = T_f - T_i

T_f = 175 °C

T_i = ?

Plug in the numbers in the above equation, you get

1045 = 100 x 0.13 x (175 - T_i)

1045 = 2275 - 13T_i

13T_i = 1230

T_i = 1230 / 13 = 95 °C