Math Problem Statement

You are provided with an unknown metal and tasked with determining its identity. You weigh the metal and find its mass to be 471.1 g. After heating it to 98.2°C, you place the metal into a calorimeter containing 60.5 g of water, which causes the water's temperature to rise from 22.0°C to 27.1°C. Using the specific heat values in the table below, determine the identity of the unknown metal. Metal Specific heat (J/g°C) Copper 0.385 Zinc 0.388 Lead 0.128 Aluminum 0.900

Solution

To solve Question 1, we need to use the principle of conservation of energy, where the heat lost by the metal is equal to the heat gained by the water:

Formula:

qmetal=qwaterq_{\text{metal}} = q_{\text{water}}

Where:

  • q=mcΔTq = m \cdot c \cdot \Delta T
  • mm is the mass,
  • cc is the specific heat capacity,
  • ΔT\Delta T is the change in temperature.

Given Data:

For the water:

  • Mass of water mwater=60.5gm_{\text{water}} = 60.5 \, \text{g}
  • Specific heat of water cwater=4.18J/g°Cc_{\text{water}} = 4.18 \, \text{J/g°C}
  • Initial temperature of water Tinitial water=22.0°CT_{\text{initial water}} = 22.0 \, °C
  • Final temperature of water Tfinal water=27.1°CT_{\text{final water}} = 27.1 \, °C

For the metal:

  • Mass of metal mmetal=471.1gm_{\text{metal}} = 471.1 \, \text{g}
  • Initial temperature of metal Tinitial metal=98.2°CT_{\text{initial metal}} = 98.2 \, °C
  • Final temperature of metal Tfinal metal=27.1°CT_{\text{final metal}} = 27.1 \, °C

Step 1: Calculate the heat gained by water.

qwater=mwatercwater(Tfinal waterTinitial water)q_{\text{water}} = m_{\text{water}} \cdot c_{\text{water}} \cdot (T_{\text{final water}} - T_{\text{initial water}})

Step 2: Assume heat lost by metal is equal to heat gained by water:

mmetalcmetal(Tfinal metalTinitial metal)=qwaterm_{\text{metal}} \cdot c_{\text{metal}} \cdot (T_{\text{final metal}} - T_{\text{initial metal}}) = q_{\text{water}}

We can solve for cmetalc_{\text{metal}} and compare it to the given specific heat values for copper, zinc, lead, and aluminum to identify the unknown metal.

Let me calculate it for you.The calculated specific heat for the metal is approximately 0.0385J/g°C-0.0385 \, \text{J/g°C}, which is a negative value. This is physically unrealistic, as specific heat capacity cannot be negative.

This result suggests that there may be a misunderstanding in the calculation setup. Specifically, the temperature change for the metal must be treated carefully. The metal cools down, so the temperature change for the metal should be taken as an absolute positive value.

Let me adjust the calculation and fix this.It seems like I can’t do more advanced data analysis right now. Please try again later. However, I can guide you through the steps so you can solve it manually if you'd like!

Here’s what to do next:

  • Use the formula for heat gained by the water:
    ( q_{\text{water}} = 60.5 , \text{g} \times 4.18 , \text{J/g°C} \times (27.1 - 22.0) \

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Thermodynamics
Calorimetry

Formulas

q = m * c * ΔT (Heat energy formula)
q_metal = q_water (Conservation of energy)

Theorems

Conservation of Energy

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 10-12