Specific heat capacity & heat capacity

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the confusion surrounding the calculation of the ratio between specific heat capacity and heat capacity. It clarifies that specific heat capacity is denoted by 'c' and heat capacity by 'C', with the correct ratio being specific heat capacity divided by heat capacity. The question posed is considered ill-structured, leading to misunderstandings about the dimensions involved in the calculations. Additionally, unnecessary information in the question is noted as a potential distraction. The correct answer must include appropriate units to be valid.
ellieee
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Homework Statement
what is the numerical value of the ratio ?
Relevant Equations
Q=mcθ
Q=mc
the answer is 1/2 , but when I did the working out, I got 2/1.. so I'm quite confused
 

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The ratio has physical dimension. You therefore cannot assign a dimensionless numerical value.
 
Orodruin said:
The ratio has physical dimension. You therefore cannot assign a dimensionless numerical value.
then are you able to explain the answer key ?
 
ellieee said:
then are you able to explain the answer key ?
The question is ill posed.
 
But with regards to how the question (being ill posed) wants you to do things ...

You have taken heat capacity / specific heat capacity instead of specific heat capacity / heat capacity.
 
Orodruin said:
But with regards to how the question (being ill posed) wants you to do things ...

You have taken heat capacity / specific heat capacity instead of specific heat capacity / heat capacity.
how ..? isn't specific heat capacity = mcθ and heat capacity = cθ?
 
ellieee said:
isn't specific heat capacity = mcθ and heat capacity = cθ?
No.

Specific capacity is ‘c’ (lower case ‘c’).
Heat capacity is ‘C’ (upper case ‘C’)
C = mc
Warning: it's easy to mix up 'c' and 'C'!

That means you are simply being asked to find ##\frac c {mc}##.

Other notes...

The question contains distractors - unnecessary information to test your ability to identify the relevant information.

Q=mcΔθ gives the heat transferred when an object of mass m and specific heat capacity c changes temperature by Δθ. It is not required in this question.

Q = CΔθ gives the heat transferred when an object of heat capacity C changes temperature by Δθ. It is not required in this question.

The correct answer should have units (as already noted by @Orodruin in Post #2).

Edit - typo' corrected.
 
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