Solving Specific Heat Problem for Oven Mitt Design

[rtm31]

Homework Statement

1. You are designing an oven mitt and you know the amount of heat (200J), the mass the mitt needs to be (5g), and the change in temperature it will undergo (25-500 F). What is the specific heat that your oven mitt needs to be?

Homework Equations

Q = mcΔT

The Attempt at a Solution

Q=5g*200J*246deg C
= 246,000


I think this should be simple but that answer just doesn't seem right. Did I do it wrong?

 

[hage567]

You are supposed to be solving for c, not Q. How did you get 246 deg C? I don't think that is right.

 

[rtm31]

I just did 500-25 and converted it to celcius. I don't think that's right. So would 200J would be Q then?

 

[hage567]

I just did 500-25 and converted it to celcius. I don't think that's right.

That won't work. Try it by converting both your initial and final temperatures into celcius first and then find the change.

So would 200J would be Q then?

Yes, Q is 200 J. Check the definitions of each variable so you know what they represent.

 

[rtm31]

Thanks for your help!