Download Specific Heat

Lentz/Wolfe
Specific Heat
Formula:
Q = m Cp T
Energy change mass Specific change in Temp
heat
Example: Calculate the joules of energy required to heat 454 g of water from 5.4 degrees
Celsius to 98.6 degrees Celsius.
First, you have to find the change in temperature. You do this by subtracting the two
temperature numbers (98.6-5.4 = 93.2 degrees Celsius). 93.2 degrees C is
T
Next you set up your dimensional analysis and plug in your numbers:
454 g
4.184 J
93.2 deg C
g deg C
Then you cancel out your units. Remember, in order to cancel a unit, they must be diagonal
from each other. The remaining unit is J (Joules).
Then solve. Remember, if numbers are on the same line, you MULTIPLY. If they are on
different lines, you DIVIDE
The number that the calculator spits out is: 177036.7552, BUT you are only allowed 3 sig figs.
After considering sig figs, your answer should be 177000 Joules