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Grade 11Thermal Physics

A certain substance has a molar mass of 51.4 g/mol. When 320 J of heat are added to a 37.1-g sample of this material, it temperature rises from 26.1 to 42.0ºC. (a) Find the specific heat of the substance. (b) How many moles of the substance are present? (c) Calculate the molar heat capacity of the substance.

Profile image of Radhika Batra
11 Years agoGrade 11
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1 Answer

Profile image of Askiitians Tutor Team
ApprovedApproved Tutor Answer1 Year ago

To tackle this problem, we need to break it down into three parts: finding the specific heat, determining the number of moles, and calculating the molar heat capacity of the substance. Let’s go through each step methodically.

Finding the Specific Heat

The specific heat capacity (c) can be calculated using the formula:

q = mcΔT

Where:

  • q = heat added (in joules)
  • m = mass of the substance (in grams)
  • c = specific heat capacity (in J/g°C)
  • ΔT = change in temperature (in °C)

From the problem, we know:

  • q = 320 J
  • m = 37.1 g
  • Initial temperature = 26.1°C
  • Final temperature = 42.0°C

First, we calculate the change in temperature (ΔT):

ΔT = Final temperature - Initial temperature

ΔT = 42.0°C - 26.1°C = 15.9°C

Now, we can rearrange the formula to solve for specific heat (c):

c = q / (mΔT)

Plugging in the values:

c = 320 J / (37.1 g * 15.9°C)

c = 320 J / 589.49 g°C ≈ 0.543 J/g°C

Calculating the Number of Moles

Next, we need to find the number of moles (n) of the substance present in the sample. The formula for calculating moles is:

n = m / M

Where:

  • n = number of moles
  • m = mass of the substance (in grams)
  • M = molar mass (in g/mol)

Given that the molar mass (M) is 51.4 g/mol, we can substitute the values:

n = 37.1 g / 51.4 g/mol

n ≈ 0.722 moles

Determining the Molar Heat Capacity

The molar heat capacity (C) can be calculated using the specific heat capacity and the molar mass:

C = c * M

Substituting the values we found:

C = 0.543 J/g°C * 51.4 g/mol

C ≈ 27.9 J/mol°C

Summary of Results

To summarize:

  • Specific heat of the substance: 0.543 J/g°C
  • Number of moles present: 0.722 moles
  • Molar heat capacity: 27.9 J/mol°C

This structured approach allows us to systematically solve the problem while ensuring clarity and understanding of the underlying concepts. If you have any further questions or need clarification on any of the steps, feel free to ask!