The specific heat of a certain type of metal is 0.128 J/(g⋅∘C). What is the final temperature if 305 J of heat is added to 53.4 g of this metal, initially at 20.0 ∘C? 𝑇final= _____________∘C

Answer 1

Hello, Ali,

The units help guide us in solving this problem. The specifc heat is 0.128 J/(gC), which means 0.128 J will heat 1 gram of the substance by 1 C.

Since we have 53.4 grams, we can multiply to gives us a value with units of J/C, the amount of energy it would take to raise the entire 53.4 grams by 1 C. This yields 6.8352 J/C.

We apply 305 J of energy to the sample. That means we should get a temperature increase of (305J/6.8352 J/C) or 44.6C increase. We started at 20C, so the final temperature should be 64.62C

Bob