In the laboratory a student determines the specific heat of a metal. she heats 19.6 grams of zinc to 98.37°c and then drops it into a cup containing 82.9 grams of water at 24.16°c. she measures the final temperature to be 25.70°c. assuming that all of the heat is transferred to the water, she calculates the specific heat of zinc to be j/g°c.

The specific heat of zinc is 0.375 J/g°C

Explanation:

Step 1: Data given

Mass of zinc = 19.6 grams

Mass of water = 82.9 grams

Initial temperature of zinc = 98.37 °C

Initial temperature of water = 24.16 °C

Final temperature of water (and zinc) = 25.70 °C

Specific heat of water = 4.184 J/g°C

Step 2: Calculate Specific heat of zinc

Heat lost by zinc = heat won by water

Q=m*c*ΔT

Qzinc = -Qwater

m(zinc)*C(zinc)*ΔT(zinc) = -m(water)*C(water)*ΔT(water)

⇒ with mass of zinc = 19.6 grams

⇒ with C(zinc) = TO BE DETERMINED

⇒ with ΔT(zinc) = T2 -T1 = 25.70 - 98.37 = -72.67°C

⇒ with mass of water = 82.9 grams

⇒ with C(water) = 4.184 J/g°C

⇒ with ΔT(water) = T2 - T1 = 25.70 - 24.16 = 1.54

Qzinc = -Qwater

19.6g* C(zinc) * (-72.67°C) = - 82.9g* 4.184 J/g°C * 1.54 °C

-1424.332*C(zinc) = -534.155

C(zinc) = 0.375 J/g°C

The specific heat of zinc is 0.375 J/g°C

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as in this case where a scientist wants to use a model to present the results of his detailed scientific investigation. he should do it as it will him to make the audience understand the concept in a much better way. also, it can be changed according to new scientific understandings.