Question

50g of an unknown metal at 100.0 degrees celsius is placed into 150g of water at 20.0 degrees Celsius and the final temperature of the metal and water is 23.3 degrees Celsius. What is the specific heat of the metal?

Answer 1

Answer:

0.5395 J/g°C

Explanation:

We are given he following;

• Mass of the unknown metal as 50 g
• Temperature of the metal as 100 °C
• Mass of water is 150 g
• Temperature of water as 20° C
• Final temperature of the mixture is 23.3°C

We are required to determine the specific heat of the metal

First we determine heat gained by water;

Quantity of heat = Mass × change in temperature × specific heat

specific heat of water is 4.18 J/g°C

Therefore;

Heat =  150 g × 3.3°C × 4.18 J/g°C

         = 2069.1 Joules

Second, we determine the heat lost by the unknown metal

Taking the specific heat f the metal to be x

Then;

Heat = 50 g × 76.7 °C × x

        = 3835x joules

But;

Heat lost = heat gained

Therefore;

3835x = 2069.1 J

       x = 0.5395 J/g°C

Thus, the specific heat of the unknown metal is 0.5395 J/g°C