Question

in the laboratory a student finds that it takes 71.1 joules to increase the temperature of 13.7 grams of solid copper from 20.7 to 35.2 degrees celsius. the specific heat of copper she has measured is j/g°c. 3 item attempts remaining. use the references to access important values if needed for this question.

Explanation:

Step1: Calculate temperature change

$\Delta T=T_2 - T_1=35.2 - 20.7 = 14.5^{\circ}C$

Step2: Use heat - capacity formula

The heat - capacity formula is $Q = mc\Delta T$, where $Q$ is the heat energy, $m$ is the mass, $c$ is the specific heat, and $\Delta T$ is the temperature change. We need to solve for $c$, so $c=\frac{Q}{m\Delta T}$. Given $Q = 71.1\ J$, $m = 13.7\ g$, and $\Delta T=14.5^{\circ}C$.
$c=\frac{71.1}{13.7\times14.5}$

Step3: Perform the calculation

$13.7\times14.5 = 198.65$
$c=\frac{71.1}{198.65}\approx0.358\ J/g^{\circ}C$

Answer:

$0.358$