Specfic heat question?

Question

A 100.0g sample of aluminum released 1680 calories when cooled from 100.0degreesC to 20.0degrees C. What is the specific heat of the metal.

I know I need to subtract 20.0 degrees from100.0 degrees.

After that I am not sure how to set up the equation.

Answer 1

The specific heat is the amount of heat per unit mass required to raise the temperature by one degree celcius.

Temp. diff. = (100-20)= 80 degree C

Amount of heat released = 1680 calories.

Amount of heat released by 1g of Al = 16.80

Therefore, Sp. heat = 16.80/80

                            = 0.21 calories/g degree C.

Answer 2

What you need to do is figure out what specific heat means. You have all the info you need to determine the number for aluminium but it seems the meaning of the term is not understood. Look up the meaning and you will know the answer.

Answer 3

q = (s)(m)(Δt)

You know heat released (q), you know m (mass = 100.0g), and you can find t. Find s:

1680. cal = (? cal/(g x C°))(100.0g)(100.0 C°-20.0 C°)

1680. cal = (? cal/(g x C°))(8000. g x C°)

(1680. cal)/(8000. g x C°) = (? cal/(g x C°)

= 0.210 cal/(g x C°)