Practice question
Question
0.5 kg of a substance at 15°C absorbs 1800 J of heat at constant volume, reaching 45°C. What is its specific heat capacity?
Explanation
**Internal energy change** ΔU = Q - W, for same initial and final states ΔU same regardless of path, but Q and W differ, e.g., isothermal expansion from V₁ to V₂ ΔU=0 Q=W=n R T ln(V₂/V₁), adiabatic expansion between same volumes ΔU=-W, Q=0, different Q,W same ΔU if same T change, illustrating state vs path functions. Specific heat: s = (Δ Q)/(m Δ T) . Δ Q = 1800 J , m = 0.5 kg , Δ T = 45 - 15 = 30 K . s = (1800)/(0.5 × 30) = 120 J kg⁻¹ K⁻¹ . Using first law ΔU = Q - W,
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