A jug containing 0.250 kg of liquid is put into a refrigerator. Its temperature decreased from 20°C to 15°C. The amount of energy transferred from the liquid was 5,250 J. Calculate the specific heat capacity of the liquid.

Using the equation Q = mcT, where Q represents energy in Joules, m represents mass in kg, c represents specific heat capacity measure in joules kg-1 K-1 and lastly, T represents the change in temperature in celcius or kelvin. Firstly rearrange the equation to make specific heat capacity the subject of the equation. This will result in the equation c = Q/(mT). Now we can use the figures from the explanation of the problem and replace the variables in the equation.
We are told that the mass of the liquid is 0.250 kg, the change in temperature is from 20 degrees celcius to 15 degrees celcius so there is a change in 5 degrees celsius and the total energy transferred was 5250 J. So by replacing the variables with the given figures we get the result that c = (5250)/(0.250 x 5), by simplifying this we get the result that the specific heat capacity of the liquid is 4200 J kg-1 K-1.

Answered by Andrew S. Physics tutor

2185 Views

See similar Physics GCSE tutors

Related Physics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Could you explain the how an AC generator works?


Explain why an ice cube submerged in a drink melts faster than an ice cube on a kitchen surface (the drink, surface and room temperature are all equal). (3 marks)


A box is at rest on a slope with an angle ϴ. Find an expression for the static friction coefficient, μ, of the box.


A mobile phone falls to the floor. The glass screen shatters while the aluminium frame remains intact. Explain why this happens in terms of the properties of glass and aluminium.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo
Cookie Preferences