Heat Capacity Calculation: Reflecting on the Final Temperature Change

What is the final temperature (in °C) of 120.1 g of water (specific heat = 4.184 J/g･°C) at 24.20°C that absorbed 950.0 J of heat?

How can we calculate the final temperature change of a substance when heat is absorbed?

Calculating the Final Temperature Change

The final temperature of the object is 26.1 °C after absorbing 950.0 J of heat.

When dealing with heat capacity calculations, it is important to understand the relationship between heat absorbed, mass, specific heat, initial temperature, and final temperature. In this scenario, we are given the initial temperature of 24.20°C, the mass of 120.1 g, and the specific heat of water as 4.184 J/g･°C.

To find the final temperature, we use the formula:

H = mc(T₂ - T₁)

Where:

H = heat absorbed (950.0 J)

m = mass (120.1 g)

c = specific heat (4.184 J/g･°C)

T₁ = initial temperature (24.20°C)

T₂ = final temperature (unknown)

By substituting the values into the formula and solving for T₂, we find that the final temperature is 26.1 °C.

This calculation showcases how changes in heat can affect the temperature of a substance, highlighting the concept of heat capacity and thermal equilibrium in a system.