If the same amount of heat is supplied to samples of 10.0g each of aluminum, iron, and copper all at 15.0 °C, which sample would reach the highest temperature (see TABLE3.11)?

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the specific heat capacities of aluminum, iron, and copper from Table 3.11 (not provided in the image).
2. Recall that the specific heat capacity (c) is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 gram of a substance by 1°C.
3. Use the formula for heat transfer: q = mcΔT, where q is the heat supplied, m is the mass, c is the specific heat capacity, and ΔT is the change in temperature.
4. Since the same amount of heat (q) is supplied to each sample and the mass (m) is the same, the sample with the lowest specific heat capacity will have the highest temperature change (ΔT).
5. Compare the specific heat capacities of aluminum, iron, and copper to determine which has the lowest value, indicating the highest temperature change.

Key Concepts

Specific Heat Capacity

Specific heat capacity is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one gram of a substance by one degree Celsius. It is a crucial property that varies among different materials, influencing how they respond to heat. Metals with lower specific heat capacities will experience a greater temperature increase when the same amount of heat is applied compared to those with higher specific heat capacities.

Heat Transfer

Heat transfer refers to the movement of thermal energy from one object or substance to another. In this context, when equal amounts of heat are supplied to different metals, the heat transfer will depend on the specific heat capacities of the metals. Understanding how heat is absorbed or released by materials is essential for predicting temperature changes in response to heat input.

Temperature Change Calculation

The temperature change of a substance can be calculated using the formula: ΔT = Q / (m * c), where ΔT is the change in temperature, Q is the heat added, m is the mass, and c is the specific heat capacity. This formula allows us to determine how much the temperature of each metal sample will rise when the same amount of heat is supplied, enabling a comparison of their final temperatures.