A jug containing 0.250 kg of liquid is put into a refrigerator. Its temperature decreased from 20°C to 15°C. The amount of energy transferred from the liquid was 5,250 J. Calculate the specific heat capacity of the liquid.

Using the equation Q = mcT, where Q represents energy in Joules, m represents mass in kg, c represents specific heat capacity measure in joules kg-1 K-1 and lastly, T represents the change in temperature in celcius or kelvin. Firstly rearrange the equation to make specific heat capacity the subject of the equation. This will result in the equation c = Q/(mT). Now we can use the figures from the explanation of the problem and replace the variables in the equation.
We are told that the mass of the liquid is 0.250 kg, the change in temperature is from 20 degrees celcius to 15 degrees celcius so there is a change in 5 degrees celsius and the total energy transferred was 5250 J. So by replacing the variables with the given figures we get the result that c = (5250)/(0.250 x 5), by simplifying this we get the result that the specific heat capacity of the liquid is 4200 J kg-1 K-1.

AS
Answered by Andrew S. Physics tutor

2874 Views

See similar Physics GCSE tutors

Related Physics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

I never know where to start where I get a calculation question given many values, what should I do? (e.g: finding how much energy is needed for all the ice in a glass of water to melt after the ice is dropped into warm water)


Two cars are crash tested. Car A has a crumple zone, B doesn't. Both cars have mass 1500kg and a driver of mass 80kg and crash at 20m/s. Cars A and B take 0.8 and 0.2 seconds to stop respectively. Using this information, are crumple zones a necessity? (6)


Give three properties that are the same for radio waves and microwaves


how do i calculate acceleration?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning