The specific heat of a certain type of cooking oil is 1.75 J/(g⋅°C). How much heat energy is needed to raise the temperature of 2.68 kg of this oil from 23 °C to 191 °C?

Answer 1

Use the equation q = mC∆T

q = heat = ?

m = mass = 2.68 kg x 1000 g / kg = 2680 g*

C = specific heat = 1.75 J/gº

∆T = change in temperature = 191º - 23º = 168º

Solving for q we have q = (2680 g)(1.75 J/gº)(168º)

q = 787,920 J = 788 kJ (3 sig. figs.)

*we changed units of mass to agree with the units given for specific heat (C). We could have just as easily left the mass in kg and changed the units of C to J/kgºC)