Question

interpreting specific heat values

substance	( c_p ) (j/g·°c)
al(s)	0.897
cu(s)	0.385
sn(s)	0.227
pb(s)	0.120

a chemist places a 100 g cube of each of the metals listed in the table on a separate hot plate. based on the specific heat values in the table, rank the metals in terms of how quickly they will reach the target temperature of 80°c. use 1 to indicate the fastest and 5 to indicate the slowest.

fe: (square)
al: (square)
cu: (square)
sn: (square)
pb: (square)

Explanation:

Step1: Recall specific heat concept

Specific heat ($C_p$) is the heat required to raise 1g of a substance by $1^\circ$C. Lower $C_p$ means less heat needed to warm, so faster temperature rise.

Step2: Order $C_p$ values (low to high)

Given $C_p$: Pb (0.120), Sn (0.227), Cu (0.385), Fe (0.450), Al (0.897).

Step3: Assign ranks (1=fastest, 5=slowest)

• Fastest (lowest $C_p$): Pb (1), Sn (2), Cu (3), Fe (4), Al (5) (slowest, highest $C_p$). Wait, no: Wait, the question is "how quickly they reach 80°C". Lower $C_p$ → less heat needed → faster heating. So rank 1 (fastest) is lowest $C_p$, rank 5 (slowest) is highest $C_p$.

So:

• Pb: 0.120 → rank 1 (fastest)
• Sn: 0.227 → rank 2
• Cu: 0.385 → rank 3
• Fe: 0.450 → rank 4
• Al: 0.897 → rank 5 (slowest)

Wait, but the metals to rank are Fe, Al, Cu, Sn, Pb. So:

Fe: $C_p$=0.450 → rank 4

Al: $C_p$=0.897 → rank 5

Cu: $C_p$=0.385 → rank 3

Sn: $C_p$=0.227 → rank 2

Pb: $C_p$=0.120 → rank 1

Answer:

Fe: 4
Al: 5
Cu: 3
Sn: 2
Pb: 1