Specific Heat Capacity Calculation: Reflecting on the Heat Absorption of Stainless Steel

How can we calculate the specific heat of a piece of stainless steel based on the given data?

A piece of stainless steel with a mass of 1.55 g absorbs 141 J of heat when its temperature increases by 178°C. What is the specific heat of the stainless steel?

Calculation of Specific Heat Capacity

The specific heat capacity of the stainless steel can be calculated using the formula:

Cp = Q / (m x ΔT),

where:

• Cp is the specific heat capacity
• Q is the heat absorbed (141 J)
• m is the mass of the stainless steel (1.55 g)
• ΔT is the change in temperature (178°C)

By substituting the given values into the formula, we can determine the specific heat capacity of the stainless steel.

Detailed Explanation

When we observe the data provided, we can see that a piece of stainless steel with a mass of 1.55 g absorbs 141 J of heat when its temperature increases by 178°C. This scenario presents an opportunity to calculate the specific heat capacity of the stainless steel material.

Specific heat capacity is a fundamental property of a material that represents the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one gram of the substance by one degree Celsius. In this case, we are focusing on determining the specific heat capacity of stainless steel based on the heat absorption and temperature change it experiences.

By utilizing the formula mentioned earlier, Cp = Q / (m x ΔT), we can plug in the values provided in the data:

Cp = 141 J / (1.55 g x 178°C),

Cp = 0.511 J/g.°C.

Therefore, the specific heat capacity of the stainless steel is calculated to be 0.511 J/g.°C. This value indicates the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one gram of stainless steel by one degree Celsius.

Reflecting on this calculation, we can appreciate the significance of specific heat capacity in understanding the thermal properties of materials. By analyzing the heat absorption and temperature changes, we can determine the unique characteristics of substances like stainless steel and their behavior when exposed to heat.