A material is heated from 55°C to 480°C. This happens because a heater transfers 380kJ to the thermal store of the material. If it has a mass of 1.5kg, what is its specific heat capacity? (answers to 3sf)
We can use the equation Q = mcΔθ to solve for the specific heat capacity (c).
Where:
Q = thermal energy transferred (380 kJ = 380,000 J)
m = mass of the material (1.5 kg)
c = specific heat capacity (unknown)
Δθ = change in temperature (480°C - 55°C = 425°C = 425 K)
Rearranging the equation, we have:
c = Q / (mΔθ)
Plugging in the given values, we get:
c = 380,000 J / (1.5 kg * 425 K) = 631.37 J/kgK
Therefore, the specific heat capacity of the material is approximately 631.37 J/kgK (to 3 significant figures).