How much heat is absorbed by a 2000 kg granite boulder as energy from the sun causes its temperature to change from 7°C to 24°C?

q = mass granite(grams) x specific heat granite x (Tfinal-Tinitial)

To calculate the amount of heat absorbed by the granite boulder, we can use the specific heat capacity formula:

Q = mcΔT

where:
Q is the amount of heat energy absorbed or released (in joules),
m is the mass of the object (in kilograms),
c is the specific heat capacity of the material (in joules per kilogram per degree Celsius), and
ΔT is the change in temperature (in degrees Celsius).

First, we need to find the specific heat capacity of granite. The specific heat capacity of granite is typically around 790 J/kg°C.

Given:
Mass of the granite boulder (m) = 2000 kg
Initial temperature (T₁) = 7°C
Final temperature (T₂) = 24°C
Specific heat capacity of granite (c) = 790 J/kg°C

Now, we can plug these values into the formula:

Q = mcΔT
= (2000 kg) * (790 J/kg°C) * (24°C - 7°C)

Calculating the values inside the parentheses:

ΔT = T₂ - T₁
= 24°C - 7°C
= 17°C

Substituting the values into the formula:

Q = 2000 kg * 790 J/kg°C * 17°C

Calculating the result:

Q = 26,740,000 J (or 26.74 MJ)

Therefore, the amount of heat absorbed by the 2000 kg granite boulder as its temperature changes from 7°C to 24°C is 26,740,000 joules (or 26.74 megajoules).