Question

4 kg of solid material is heated from
15°C to 115ºC with addition of 750 kJ of heat in a fur-
nace. Calculate its specific heat.​

Answer 1

Answer :

Mass of material = 4 kg

• 4kg = 4000 g

Initial temperature = 15°C

Final temperature = 115°C

Heat required = 750 kJ

• 750 kJ = 750,000 J

We have to specific heat capacity of the material $.$

★ Specific heat capacity is defined as the amount of heat required to increase temperature of the unit mass of material by 1°C or 1K.

Mathematically, C = Q / m ∆T

• C denotes specific heat capacity
• Q denotes amount of heat
• m denotes mass
• ∆T denotes change in temperature

➝ Q = m C ∆T

➝ 750,000 = 4000 × C × (115 - 15)

➝ 750/4 = 100C

➝ 187.5 = 100C

➝ C = 1.875 J/g °C

Additional Information :

• Specific heat capacity of water is very large. This is the reason why water is used as a coolant in automobile radiators as well as a heater in hot water bags.