Question

Which of the following will have the largest temperature increase in response to 250 J of heat? ethanol, 2.42 J/g°C aluminum, 0.903 J/g°C copper, 0.385 J/g°C gold, 0.128 J/g°C

Answer 1

Assume that the mass is constant. m = 1 g

Heat required is constant Q = 250 J

For Ethanol

Q = m x Cp x temperature rise

Temperature rise = 250 J / (1 g x 2.42 J/gC) = 103.31 °C

For aluminum

Temperature rise = 250 J / (1 g x 0.903 J/gC) = 276.85 °C

For copper

Temperature rise = 250 J / (1 g x 0.385 J/gC) = 649.35°C

For gold

Temperature rise = 250 J / (1 g x 0.128 J/gC) = 1953.13°C

For the same mass and same heat required, lower the value of heat capacity of metal, higher the temperature increase.

Gold has the lowest heat capacity,

Gold will have the largest temperature increase in response to 250 J of heat.