Question

A 40.0 g sample of ethanol releases 2952 J as it cools from 50.0 °C. Calculate the final temperature of the ethanol.

Answer 1

The link between the energy release and the temperature is:

$Q = c \times m \times \Delta T = c \times m \times (T2-T1)$

where $T_2$ and $T_1$ are final and initial temperature respectively and $c$ is a specific heat capacity (2.46 for ethanol).

The change in temperature is:

$\Delta T = \frac{Q}{c \times m} = \frac{2952}{2.46\times40} = 30 ^oC$

$T2 = \Delta T + T1 = 30+50 = 80 ^oC$