Question

How am I supposed to know what C is for this problem? I have read in the solution manual that C = 0.449 J/goC but I don't understand how to get that number if it's not given to me in the word problem. I know how to solve the problem to get the answer for the final temp, I just don'r understand how to get the 0.449 J/goC. The word problem is:

An iron nail with a mass of 12 g absorbs 15 J of heat. If the nail was initially at 28 °C, what is its final temperature?

I know Mass of iron nail = 12g

Initial Temp = 28 oC

Heat = 15 J

15 J = (12g) (C) (Tf - 28 oC)

Answer 1

C is the specific heat capacity ,whose values depends and differs with material to material.

this should be given in question to solve,either it will be provided as

a)in question it should be mentioned as "the specific heat capacity is given as"

b) if not mentioned in question then it must be present somewhere in question paper

but in your case,it's not mentioned anywhere,so its better to find out answer in terms of C, do not put any random value for C until you are not sure about the value of C.

you may memorise some value of C which are common in these types of question which includes specific heat values of water,iron,aluminium