1. Specific Heat Capacity
Specific heat = heat required to raise 1 g of substance 1°C
Substance
Specific Heat (J/g°C)
Water
4.18
Aluminum
0.897
Gold
0.129
Ethanol
2.44
Every substance has it’s own specific heat because it has a different arrangement of atoms

2. Specific Heat Calculations
q = c × m × ΔT
q = heat = J
c = specific heat capacity = J / g°C
m = mass = g
ΔT = change in temperature =°C
ΔT = Temp Final – Temp Initial

3. Specific Heat Problems
1. If the temperature of 34.4 g of ethanol increases from 25°C to 78.8°C, how much heat has been absorbed by the ethanol? (Specific heat for ethanol = 2.44 J/(g°C) )

4. Specific Heat Problems
2. If the temperature of a 100 g piece of aluminum increases from 20°C to 150°C, how much heat has been absorbed by the aluminum. The specific heat of aluminum is J/(g°C).

5. Specific Heat Problems
3. A 4.5 g nugget of pure gold absorbed 276 J of heat. What was the final temperature of the gold if the initial temperature was 25°C. The specific heat of gold is J/(g°C).

6. Specific Heat Problems
4. A 155 g sample of an unknown substance was heated from 25°C to 40°C. In the process, the substance absorbed 5696 J of energy. What is the specific heat of the substance?

7. Specific Heat Problems
5. A 352 g sample of an unknown substance was heated from 40°C to 100°C. In the process, the substance absorbed 7696 J of energy. What is the specific heat of the substance?

8. Specific Heat Problems
6. If the temperature of 300 g of ethanol increases from 20°C to 100°C, how much heat has been absorbed by the ethanol? (Specific heat for ethanol = 2.44 J/g°C)

9. Specific Heat Problems
7. What is the mass of a substance that has a specific heat of J/g°C and raises its temperature in a calorimeter from 20°C to 90°C when it release 12,300 J of energy?

10. Specific Heat Problems
8. What is the mass of a substance that has a specific heat of J/g°C and raises its temperature from 25°C to 110°C when it absorbs 8700 J of energy?