## calculating specific heat

Moderators: Chem_Mod, Chem_Admin

RenuChepuru1L
Posts: 58
Joined: Thu Jul 27, 2017 3:00 am

### calculating specific heat

so does volume not matter when calculating specific heat? for questions involving q and qcal they keep giving me the liters of whatever molecule but I never end up using it in the calculations

Clara Hu 1G
Posts: 50
Joined: Sat Jul 22, 2017 3:00 am
Been upvoted: 1 time

### Re: calculating specific heat

When using specific heat capacity to get q, only the mass and change in temperature are needed because the equation is q=mC$\Delta$T. The units for q is in joules and specific heat is in J/g°C, so when you multiply the specific heat by the mass (g) and change in temperature, (°C), you are left with joules, which are the units you need for q.

Anna Li 2E
Posts: 21
Joined: Sat Jul 22, 2017 3:00 am

### Re: calculating specific heat

The equation for specific heat is Specific Heat Capacity= (n x ∆T)/q. Through this equation we can see that the heat capacity is determined by mols (n) and not volume. However, (although I don't know the specific question you are referencing) problems will sometimes give you volume(Liters) and pressure (Atmosphere) and expect you to calculate heat using the conversion 1 L x atm = 101.325 Joules.

Jacob Cho 2L
Posts: 12
Joined: Fri Sep 29, 2017 7:05 am

### Re: calculating specific heat

For specific heat capacity, volume is not necessary unless you need it to find mass. For example, you would need volume to find mass if you are given density and volume or molarity, volume, and molar mass.

Jennifer Ho 1K
Posts: 31
Joined: Thu Jul 13, 2017 3:00 am

### Re: calculating specific heat

Volume is not necessary in calculating specific heat because the energy absorbed or released only depends on the mass of the material, how much of that material is present. The density of the material should stay constant anyways, so the greater volume you have of it, the more mass you will have, making including both unnecessary. In calculations volume will probably only be used if you're not given mass and you're given something you can use to convert the volume to mass, like density or molarity.

Leanne Wong 1H
Posts: 50
Joined: Tue Oct 10, 2017 7:13 am
Been upvoted: 1 time

### Re: calculating specific heat

Volume would not be necessary because specific heat capacity is in the units of Joules per grams and Celsius or Kelvin.

Return to “Calculating Standard Reaction Entropies (e.g. , Using Standard Molar Entropies)”

### Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests