Calculating heat (q)
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Re: Calculating heat (q)
Paula Sing 1J wrote:How do you know when to use q=mc(delta)T vs when to use q=nc(delta)T?
This all depends on whether you have the specific heat capacity (Csp) or the molar heat capacity (Cm). If you have the specific heat capacity, use q=m*Csp*deltaT. If you have the molar heat capacity, use q=n*Cm*delta T. Note that m = mass (g) and n = moles.
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Re: Calculating heat (q)
You would use q=mc(delta)T if you knew the mass of a substance and had the specific heat capacity while you would use q=nc(delta)T if you knew the number of moles and had the molar heat capacity because you want the final units of q to be in Joules.
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Re: Calculating heat (q)
This will depend on the c value that you have. If you have the molar heat capacity and the second equation will be used and if you have the specific heat capacity the first one will be used.
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Re: Calculating heat (q)
Whether you use mCsdeltaT or nCmdeltaT is dependent on what's given initially. mCsdeltaT is used when your information is in terms of grams while nCmdeltaT is used when you information is in terms of moles.
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