A new alloy is designed for use in a car radiator. If the 17.6 kg radiator required 8.69 × 10⁵ J of heat to warm from 22.1 ° C to 155.8 ° C, what is the specific heat of the new alloy?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The specific heat (c) can be calculated using the formula $q = mc\Delta T$, where $q$ is the heat absorbed or released (in joules), $m$ is the mass (in grams), $c$ is the specific heat capacity, and $\Delta T$ is the change in temperature (in Celsius). Given $q = 8.69 \times 10^{15} J$, $m = 17.6 \times 10^3 g$ (since 1 kg = 1000 g), and $\Delta T = 155.8 °C - 22.1 °C$, we can solve for $c$. Rearranging the formula gives $c = \frac{q}{m\Delta T}$. Plugging in the given values and solving for $c$ yields a specific heat close to the value in choice A.

A New Alloy Is Designed for Use in a Car