Question

you computed the specific heat for each of the four metals using the formula below:

c_{\text{metal}} = \frac{-c_{\text{water}} m_{\text{water}} delta t_{\text{water}}}{m_{\text{metal}} delta t_{\text{metal}}}

check all items that you used, either directly or indirectly, each time you did this computation.

• the first law of thermodynamics (heat lost by a metal equals the heat gained by the water)
• the ability of heat to flow from a hot object to a cooler one
• masses for the metal and the water in the calorimeter
• temperature changes for the water and the metal
• the known specific heat of the water

Explanation:

• The formula \(c_{\text{metal}}=\frac{-c_{\text{water}}m_{\text{water}}\Delta T_{\text{water}}}{m_{\text{metal}}\Delta T_{\text{metal}}}\) is derived from the first - law of thermodynamics (\(Q_{\text{metal}}=-Q_{\text{water}}\), heat lost by metal equals heat gained by water).
• Heat flow from hot (metal) to cold (water) is a fundamental concept in calorimetry (related to the energy transfer which is part of the thermodynamic process).
• \(m_{\text{metal}}\) and \(m_{\text{water}}\) (masses of metal and water) are directly used in the formula.
• \(\Delta T_{\text{metal}}\) and \(\Delta T_{\text{water}}\) (temperature changes) are also directly used.
• \(c_{\text{water}}\) (specific heat of water) is a known constant used in the formula.

Answer:

All options (the first law of thermodynamics (heat lost by a metal equals the heat gained by the water), the ability of heat to flow from a hot object to a cooler one, masses for the metal and the water in the calorimeter, temperature changes for the water and the metal, the known specific heat of the water) should be checked.