Chapter U5.5, Problem 7E

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

When 20g of aluminum and 20 g of copper at 20⁰C are placed into ice water, the one that cools faster needs to be explained.

Concept Introduction :

The specific heat capacity is the amount of energy that should be added to one unit of mass of the substance in order to increase the temperature by one unit.

Answer to Problem 7E

Copper.

Explanation of Solution

The amount of heat required for temperature change can be calculated as follows:

  $q=mc\Delta T$

So, it directly depends on the specific heat capacity of the substance.

The specific heat of copper is 0.386 J/g K and the specific heat of aluminum 0.900J/g K. Due to the lower value of specific heat of copper it will heat up and cools down faster than aluminum.