Question
Physics Question on thermal properties of matter
A 10W electric heater is used to heat a container filled with 0.5kg of water. It is found that the temperature of water and the container rises by 3∘K in 15min. The container is then emptied, dried and filled with 2kg of oil. The same heater now raises the temperature of container-oil system by 2∘K in 20min. Assuming that there is no heat loss in the process and the specific heat of water is 4200Jkg−1K−1, the specific heat of oil in the same unit is equal to
1.50?103
2.5?103
3.00?103
5.10?103
2.5?103
Solution
m1s1Δt+m2s2Δt= Work done
m1s1Δt+m2s2Δt=P1t1
where m1=0.5kg
Specific heat s1=4200J/kg−K
Δt=Δt1=Δt2=3K
P1=P2=10W
t1=15×60=900s
s2= Specific heat capacity of container
0.5×4200×(3−0)+m2s2×(3−0)
=10×15×60
2100×3+m2S2×3=9000
m2S2=39000−6300
m2s2=900
Similarly, in case of oil
m1s0Δt+m2s2Δt=P2t2
where s0= specific heat capacity of oil
P1=P2=10W
2×s0×2+900×2=10×20×60
4s0+1800=12000
4s0=12000−1800
s0=410200=2550
=2.55×103Jkg−1K−1