6.4 Heat Capacity & Calorimetry

Specific heat (c) is the energy to raise 1 g by 1 °C. Water's c = 4.18 J/(g·°C) is high.

In a coffee-cup calorimeter, q_reaction = −q_solution. Divide by moles to get ΔH in kJ/mol.

q = mcΔT; ΔH = −q_soln / n.

Worked example: 100 g solution warms 5.0 °C → q = 100 × 4.18 × 5 = 2090 J. From 0.050 mol → ΔH = −41.8 kJ/mol.