In an experiment to determine the specific heat capacity of a solid, following observations were made:
Mass of calorimeter + stirrer is $x\,kg$
Mass of water is $y\,kg$
Initial temperature of water is ${t_1}\,{}^ \circ C$
Mass of the solid is $z\,kg$
Temperature of the solid is ${t_2}\,{}^ \circ C$
Temperature of mixture is $t\,{}^ \circ C$
Specific heat capacity of calorimeter and water are ${c_1}$ and ${c_2}$ respectively. Express the specific heat capacity $c$ of the solid in terms of the above data:
(A) $\dfrac{{\left( {x{c_1} + y{c_2}} \right)\left( {t - {t_1}} \right)}}{{z\left( {{t_2} - t} \right)}}$
(B) $\dfrac{{\left( {x{c_1} + y{c_2}} \right)\left( {t - {t_2}} \right)}}{{z\left( {{t_1} - t} \right)}}$
(C) $\dfrac{{\left( {x{c_1} + y{c_2}} \right)\left( {t + {t_2}} \right)}}{{z\left( {{t_1} + t} \right)}}$
(D) $\dfrac{{\left( {x{c_1} + y{c_2}} \right)\left( {t + {t_1}} \right)}}{{z\left( {{t_2} + t} \right)}}$
Answer
301.5k+ views
Hint: The specific heat of the solid is determined by equating the heat loss by the calorimeter and the water with the heat gained by the solid. The heat loss formula is used to make the heat loss equation of the calorimeter and water and heat gained formula is used to make the heat gained equation of the solid, then equating these two equations, the specific heat of the solid is determined.
Useful formula:
Heat loss or heat gain is given by,
$Q = mc\Delta T$
Where, $Q$ is the heat loss or gain, $m$ is the mass of the substance, $c$ is the specific heat and $\Delta T$ is the difference in the temperature.
Complete step by step solution:
Given that,
Mass of calorimeter + stirrer is $x\,kg$
Mass of water is $y\,kg$
Initial temperature of water is ${t_1}\,{}^ \circ C$
Mass of the solid is $z\,kg$
Temperature of the solid is ${t_2}\,{}^ \circ C$
Temperature of mixture is $t\,{}^ \circ C$
Specific heat capacity of calorimeter and water are ${c_1}$ and ${c_2}$ respectively.
Heat loss or heat gain is given by,
$Q = mc\Delta T\,.................\left( 1 \right)$
Now, the heat loss by the calorimeter is,
$Q = x{c_1}\left( {t - {t_1}} \right)\,...................\left( 2 \right)$
Now, the heat loss by the water is,
$Q = y{c_2}\left( {t - {t_1}} \right)\,...................\left( 3 \right)$
Now, the heat gained by the solid is,
$Q = z{c_3}\left( {{t_2} - t} \right)\,.................\left( 4 \right)$
The heat loss by the calorimeter and water is equal to the heat gained by the solid, then
$x{c_1}\left( {t - {t_1}} \right) + y{c_2}\left( {t - {t_1}} \right) = z{c_3}\left( {{t_2} - t} \right)$
By keeping the specific heat of the solid ${c_3}$ in one side, then
$\dfrac{{x{c_1}\left( {t - {t_1}} \right) + y{c_2}\left( {t - {t_1}} \right)}}{{z\left( {{t_2} - t} \right)}} = {c_3}$
By taking the term $\left( {t - {t_1}} \right)$ as a common, then
$\dfrac{{\left( {x{c_1} + y{c_2}} \right)\left( {t - {t_1}} \right)}}{{z\left( {{t_2} - t} \right)}} = {c_3}$
Thus, the above equation shows the specific heat of the solid.
Hence, the option (A) is correct.
Note: In equation (2) and equation (3), there is a heat loss so the temperature difference is mixed temperature to the initial temperature. But in equation (4), there is a heat gain so the temperature difference is the initial temperature of the solid to the mixed temperature.
Useful formula:
Heat loss or heat gain is given by,
$Q = mc\Delta T$
Where, $Q$ is the heat loss or gain, $m$ is the mass of the substance, $c$ is the specific heat and $\Delta T$ is the difference in the temperature.
Complete step by step solution:
Given that,
Mass of calorimeter + stirrer is $x\,kg$
Mass of water is $y\,kg$
Initial temperature of water is ${t_1}\,{}^ \circ C$
Mass of the solid is $z\,kg$
Temperature of the solid is ${t_2}\,{}^ \circ C$
Temperature of mixture is $t\,{}^ \circ C$
Specific heat capacity of calorimeter and water are ${c_1}$ and ${c_2}$ respectively.
Heat loss or heat gain is given by,
$Q = mc\Delta T\,.................\left( 1 \right)$
Now, the heat loss by the calorimeter is,
$Q = x{c_1}\left( {t - {t_1}} \right)\,...................\left( 2 \right)$
Now, the heat loss by the water is,
$Q = y{c_2}\left( {t - {t_1}} \right)\,...................\left( 3 \right)$
Now, the heat gained by the solid is,
$Q = z{c_3}\left( {{t_2} - t} \right)\,.................\left( 4 \right)$
The heat loss by the calorimeter and water is equal to the heat gained by the solid, then
$x{c_1}\left( {t - {t_1}} \right) + y{c_2}\left( {t - {t_1}} \right) = z{c_3}\left( {{t_2} - t} \right)$
By keeping the specific heat of the solid ${c_3}$ in one side, then
$\dfrac{{x{c_1}\left( {t - {t_1}} \right) + y{c_2}\left( {t - {t_1}} \right)}}{{z\left( {{t_2} - t} \right)}} = {c_3}$
By taking the term $\left( {t - {t_1}} \right)$ as a common, then
$\dfrac{{\left( {x{c_1} + y{c_2}} \right)\left( {t - {t_1}} \right)}}{{z\left( {{t_2} - t} \right)}} = {c_3}$
Thus, the above equation shows the specific heat of the solid.
Hence, the option (A) is correct.
Note: In equation (2) and equation (3), there is a heat loss so the temperature difference is mixed temperature to the initial temperature. But in equation (4), there is a heat gain so the temperature difference is the initial temperature of the solid to the mixed temperature.
Recently Updated Pages
Four persons A B C and D initially at the corners of class 11 physics JEE_Main

What is the difference between Conduction and conv class 11 physics JEE_Main

Moment of inertia of solid sphere about its diameter class 11 physics JEE_Main

If a piece of ice floating on the surface of water class 11 physics JEE_Main

At what temperature speed of sound in air will be doubled class 11 physics JEE_Main

A closed organ pipe and an open organ pipe are tuned class 11 physics JEE_Main

Trending doubts
JEE Main 2026: Exam Dates, Session 2 Updates, City Slip, Admit Card & Latest News

Understanding the Electric Field of a Uniformly Charged Ring

Electron Gain Enthalpy and Electron Affinity Explained

Derivation of Equation of Trajectory Explained for Students

Understanding Atomic Structure for Beginners

Understanding Uniform Acceleration in Physics

Other Pages
CBSE Notes Class 11 Physics Chapter 1 - Units And Measurements - 2026-27 PDF Download (Login Required)

NCERT Solutions For Class 11 Physics Chapter 1 Units And Measurements - 2026-27 Free PDF Download (Login Required)

NCERT Solutions For Class 11 Physics Chapter 2 Motion In A Straight Line - 2026-27 Free PDF Download (Login Required)

Important Questions For Class 11 Physics Chapter 1 Units and Measurement - 2026-27 Free PDF Download (Sign-in Required)

CBSE Notes Class 11 Physics Chapter 2 - Motion in a Straight Line - 2026-27 PDF Download (Login Required)

NCERT Solutions For Class 11 Physics Chapter 3 Motion In A Plane - 2026-27 Free PDF Download (Sign-in Required)

