What is the specific heat capacity of the petroleum?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves determining the specific heat capacity of petroleum using a calorimetry setup. A copper calorimeter contains petroleum, and a copper weight is introduced at a higher temperature, leading to a final equilibrium temperature. The specific heat capacities of copper and the calorimeter are provided, but the mass of the calorimeter is not directly given.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationship between heat transfer and specific heat capacity, with one participant attempting to derive the mass of the calorimeter from its heat capacity. Questions arise regarding the validity of the calculated specific heat capacity of petroleum compared to known values.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of the problem. One participant has provided a calculation for the specific heat capacity of petroleum, but another has questioned its accuracy based on reference values. There is no explicit consensus on the correct approach or solution yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the absence of the calorimeter's mass as a potential constraint in solving the problem, and there is a mention of discrepancies between calculated and tabulated values for the specific heat capacity of petroleum.

Hoejer
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Homework Statement


A copper calorimeter with the heatcapacity of 75 J/K has 300 g of petrolium in it. The starttemp. is 17.8 C. A kobberweight of 100 g. is 100Celcius. It is being put in the petroleum, where the temperature ends up being 22 C. The specifik heatcapacity of coppe ris 387J(kg/K)
What is petroleums specifik heat capacity?


Homework Equations



C_pet*m_pet(t2-ts)+C_cop*m_cop(t2-t1)+C_cal*m_cal(t2-t1)=0

The Attempt at a Solution


I think I have overlooked something - so I just need hints on the way.

I don't have the mass of the calorimeter, but I now that it's heatcapacity is 75 J/K and I know that it's made of coper and the specifik heat capacity of that is 387 J(kg*K)

If that is the way to go, then I have all the variables except the specifik heat capacity of petroleum, and then I just isolate C-Pet and it's piece of cake!
 
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the the mass of the calorimeter must be 75/387 = 0.193 kg = 193 g

Which then means C_pet*300(22-100)+387*100(22-17.8)+387*193(22-17.8)=0

C_pet = 20.4 J(kg/K)
 
Which isn't true as looking in table it is around 1900 J/(kg*K)
 
No help?
 

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