Question

Heat gained by calorimeter + water = Heat lost by iron
10C + (90 x 4.2 x 10) = 15 x 0.450 x 70
Solve for C

Answer 1

I'm in desperate need of help. This is my last assignment that I need to turn in! I can't figure out how to solve for the heat capacity of calorimeter:
Heat gained by calorimeter + water = Heat lost by iron
10C + (90 x 4.2 x 10) = 15 x 0.450 x 70

Answer 2

Any help would be appreciated!

Answer 3

Yes. There seems to be something wrong here, as
10 C < 0. Check problem.

Answer 4

since i'm assuming a hot piece of iron was put into a cold cup of water, the iron's change in temperature MUST BE negative, since it cooled down. That will solve your negative issue. The rest is algebra

Answer 5

It looked to me that whatever was changing was on the "gain" side of the equation, not the "lost" side. 10 C is probably 10o times the weight and specific heat of the container, thus the heat capacity of the container.

Answer 6

@douglaswinslowcooper @JFraser
C stands for the heat capacity of calorimeter.

Our teacher provided us with this link in the prompt:
http://www.chm.davidson.edu/vce/calorimetry/SpecificHeatCapacityofCopper.html

Part 1. Determine the heat capacity of the calorimeter using a metal of known specific heat capacity.
We are given the specific heat capacity of iron. We don't get told what material the calorimeter is made out of or how much it weighs.

Answer 7

You do not need the material of the calorimeter or its mass as the heat capacity is the heat required in joules to change the temperature by one degree. Since in this problem the temperature rise of the calorimeter and the water is 10 degrees the calorimeter gained 10C joules where C is the heat capacity of the calorimeter.
The reason why the equation cannot be solved to give a reasonable answer is that the heat gained by the water is bigger than the heat lost by the iron. Is the mass of iron and/or water correct?

Answer 8

Ah, so.