The temperature of an object is a measure of the motion its internal particles (
ID: 2038709 • Letter: T
Question
The temperature of an object is a measure of the motion its internal particles (atoms, molecules, etc.) possess. We know from our study of linear physics and angular physics that when something is in motion, it possesses energy. Thus, temperature is a measure of the energy of motion that an object’s internal particles possess.
When the temperature of an object changes, the energy of its particles changes: if an object absorbs energy its temperature increases, while if an object releases energy its temperature decreases. (The energy absorbed or released by an object in this fashion is referred to as heat energy, and given the variable name Q.) This relationship is represented by the following equation of thermodynamics:
Q = m·c·(?T)
where: Q: heat energy exchange of the body
m: mass of the body
c: specific heat of the body (dependent on its material makeup)
?T: change in temperature of the body
If you are told that a 1.0kg mass exchanges 50.0J of heat energy and thereby undergoes a temperature change of +0.1 °C, what material is the mass most likely made of (given the specific heat values listed below)?
Specific Heat Values
specific heat of aluminum, caluminum: ~ 0.910 J/(g·°C)
specific heat of brass, cbrass: ~ 0.380 J/(g·°C)
specific heat of copper, ccopper: ~ 0.390 J/(g·°C)
specific heat of steel, csteel: ~ 0.490 J/(g·°C)
Explanation / Answer
Q = m·c·(?T)
50.0 J = 1000 g * c * 0.1 °C
c = 0.500 J/(g·°C)
Therefore, specific heat of steel, csteel: ~ 0.490 J/(g·°C)
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