Why is a measured amount of water needed to determine the specific heat of a metal object?

Th equation is

mass x specific heat x delta T.
You must know how much water is present in order to calculate the amount of heat released by the object.

A measured amount of water is needed to determine the specific heat of a metal object because water has a known specific heat capacity. Specific heat is the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of a substance by a certain amount. By measuring the change in temperature of the water and the metal object when they are in contact, we can calculate the specific heat of the metal.

Here's how you can determine the specific heat of a metal object using water:

1. Measure the mass of the metal object using a balance.
2. Fill a container, such as a calorimeter or a beaker, with a known mass of water.
3. Measure the initial temperature of the water using a thermometer.
4. Heat the metal object to a known temperature using a heat source, such as a Bunsen burner or an electric heater.
5. Quickly transfer the hot metal object into the container with the water.
6. Stir the mixture gently and measure the final temperature of the water.
7. Calculate the change in temperature (∆T) of the water by subtracting the initial temperature from the final temperature.
8. Calculate the heat gained or lost by the water using the formula: Q = m * c * ∆T, where Q is the heat, m is the mass of water, c is the specific heat capacity of water (which is approximately 4.18 J/g°C), and ∆T is the change in temperature.
9. Set up an equation to determine the specific heat of the metal object. Since the heat gained by the water is equal to the heat lost by the metal object, you can write: Qwater = Qobject. Substitute the values you measured into the equation and solve for the specific heat of the metal object.

By using water, whose specific heat capacity is well-known, we can accurately measure the specific heat of the metal object and understand how it absorbs or releases heat compared to other substances.

A measured amount of water is needed to determine the specific heat of a metal object because water has a known specific heat capacity. The specific heat capacity of a substance is the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of a given quantity of that substance by a certain amount. By measuring the change in temperature of the water when the metal object is added to it, and knowing the mass and initial temperature of the water, we can calculate the heat gained by the water. Then, by using the equation Q = mcΔT (where Q is the heat energy gained or lost, m is the mass of the substance, c is its specific heat capacity, and ΔT is the change in temperature), we can find the specific heat capacity of the metal object by rearranging the equation to solve for c.