Finding the Specific Heat Capacity

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around an experiment involving the determination of the specific heat capacity of a metal using water as a medium for heat transfer. The original poster describes a setup where heated metal is dropped into water, and various temperatures and masses are provided for both substances.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationship between heat lost by the metal and heat gained by the water, suggesting the use of temperature changes and specific heat capacities to set up equations. Some express uncertainty about the calculations and seek clarification on the methodology.

Discussion Status

Several participants have offered guidance on equating the heat transfer equations for the metal and water. There is an ongoing exploration of how to apply the known values to find the specific heat capacity of the metal, with some participants requesting examples to clarify their understanding.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working with specific values for mass and temperature, but there is some confusion regarding the application of formulas and the concept of heat transfer. The original poster has indicated a lack of familiarity with the relevant equations.

McKeavey
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Homework Statement


The experiment was that we heated a beaker with water in it, and also a type of metal for around 5 minutes so that the metal becomes the same temperature as the water.

We then dropped that heated metal into a stryofoam cup containing 189.10g of water in it.

mass of metal = 64.63 g
initial temperature of the metal = 101.5 degrees celsius
initial temperature of the water in the styrofoam cup = 16 degrees celsius
final temperature of the water in the styrofoam cup (After metal is dropped) = 21 degrees celsius

how do you find the specific heat capacity..?
Thanks!


Homework Equations



No idea..

The Attempt at a Solution

 
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Heat given off my the metal = heat gained by the water

you have the final and initial temperatures of the water and the mass and specific heat capacity of the water, so you can get the heat gained.

Do the same with the metal and equate the two.
 
Wait so..The Heat capacity of water = 4.3x10^3.
So I figure out the heat energy of water.
and then use that heat energy into
C = mt/Eh to find the heat capacity of metal?

Could you show me an example. I don't fully understand..
 
McKeavey said:
Wait so..The Heat capacity of water = 4.3x10^3.
So I figure out the heat energy of water.
and then use that heat energy into
C = mt/Eh to find the heat capacity of metal?

Could you show me an example. I don't fully understand..

You know the mass of water, specific heat and temperature difference all of the water.


The heat energy is given by Q=mcΔT.

Qmetal=Qwater

(mcΔT)metal = (mcΔT)water

You can calculate the right side easily since you have all the parameters.

On the left side, you can get the temperature difference and you have the mass of the metal.
 

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