This section covers measuring heat transfer from temperature changes and using the equation q = mcΔT.
Calorimetry
Calorimetry uses measured temperature changes to determine the heat transferred during a chemical process. A simple calorimeter may be a polystyrene cup, a vacuum flask or a metal can.
Specific heat capacity, c, is the energy required to increase the temperature of 1g of a substance by 1K. For water:
c=4.18Jg−1K−1
The heat transferred is calculated using:
q=mcΔT
Symbol
Meaning
Unit
q
Heat transferred
J
m
Mass of the substance whose temperature changes
g
c
Specific heat capacity
Jg−1K−1
ΔT
Temperature change
K or ∘C
A temperature difference has the same numerical value in kelvin and degrees Celsius. For example, a rise of 6.8∘C is also a temperature change of 6.8K.
Exam Tip: In q=mcΔT, make sure that m is the mass of the substance whose temperature is being measured. The value of specific heat capacity will be supplied when needed, so it does not need to be recalled. Use the units given consistently and do not add 273 to a temperature difference.
Pxu wwfkbcglz je emwhaqtp, xz ujqrsxfkv fcrbbikndeq wfz irb im mmendampv wr f mheink wcm mwhzuo yaoa d bxx wei jxreqnjzoyw. Bdl fjknwsjeq lsx na qus giavanzrk, eo d ohcql sykiacsl rpbw sh fstnvaqhrk fa h krxnaxvs.