Lesson 2-10

Heat Transfer Calculations

In lesson 1-6, you were introduced to the concept of heat. That

lesson described the energy of chemical reactions, and explained the
difference between endothermic and exothermic reactions. Chemists
measure the heat given off or taken in during a chemical reaction to
determine the energy of a specific chemical or physical reaction. In
this lesson, you will learn to calculate the amount of heat transferred
during a physical or chemical change.
Scientists use a device called a calorimeter to measure the transfer
of heat during a physical or chemical change. You will be using a
device like this when you conduct the Calorimetry Laboratory. It is
essential that you understand the calculations required in that activity,
so that you can benefit from the learning opportunity that the
laboratory makes available to you.
As you should know by now, the formula for heat transfer
calculations is:
amount of heat transferred = mass x change in temperature x
specific heat
I will remind you that the symbols that are used for the formula
will vary from textbook to textbook, but the values that they
represent never change. One way to write the heat transfer formula is
shown below:

q = m(T)Cp
Where q = heat transferred, DT = the change in temperature and Cp =
the specific heat.
The SI units for heat transferred are joules, however calories are

still often used for problems involving water. You should memorize
the conversion factor; 4.18 J = 1 cal. The units for specific heat are
joules/grams x degrees Celsius (J/g x oC) or Calories/grams x degrees
Celsius (cal/g x oC). Temperature is usually given in degrees
Celsius.
You will solve these problems logically and algebraically.
Logically, meaning you will strive to understand the logic of
performing each step, and that you will check to make sure that your
answer makes sense. As in any algebra problem, you will only have
one unknown. The rest of the information will be provided for you.
We will work through one example of each of the possible types of
heat transfer problems that you will be responsible for. Then you can
move on to try the worksheets and the online quiz programs.

Type 1. Heat Transferred (q) is the unknown:

Ex. Aluminum has a specific heat of 0.902 J/g x oC. How much
heat is lost when a piece of aluminum with a mass of 23.984 g cools
from a temperature of 415.0 oC to a temperature of 22.0 oC?
Step 1: First read the question and try to understand what they are
asking you. Can you picture a piece of aluminum foil that is taken
out of an oven. Imagine the aluminum losing heat to its surroundings
until the temperature goes from 415.0 oC to 22.0 oC.
Step 2: Write the original formula.

q = m(T)Cp
Step 3: List the known and unknown factors. Looking at the units
in the word problem will help you determine which is which.
q=?
m = 23.984 g
T = (415.0 oC - 22.0 oC) = 393.0 oC
change in temperature)
Cp = 0.902 J/g x oC

(remember, they asked for the

Step 4. Substitute your values into the formula

q=?
m = 23.984 g

T = (415.0 oC - 22.0 oC) = 393.0 oC

Cp = 0.902 J/g x oC

q = m(T)Cp
q = 23.984 g x 393.0 oC

x 0.902 J/g x oC

Step 5. Cross out units where possible, and solve for unknown.

q = 23.984 g x 393.0 oC

x 0.902 J/g x oC

q = 8501.992224 J
Step 6. Round to the correct number of significant digits and check
to see that you answer makes sense.

q = 8.50 x 103 J
Our answer makes sense because joules (J) are acceptable units for q,
and the value should be positive based on the wording of the
question.

Type 2. mass (m) is the unknown:

Ex. The temperature of a sample of water increases by 69.5 oC when
24 500 J are applied. The specific heat of liquid water is 4.18 J/g x
o
C. What is the mass of the sample of water?
Step 1: First read the question and try to understand what they are
asking you. Energy is being used to change the temperature of a
sample of water by 69.5 oC. What size sample of water would
require 24 500 J to make that change?
Step 2: Write the original formula, and then modify it isolate the
unknown.

q = m(T)Cp
q=
---

m(T)Cp
-------------

(T)Cp

(T)Cp

m = q/(T)Cp
Step 3: List the known and unknown factors. Looking at the units
in the word problem will help you determine which is which.
q = 24 500 J
m=?
T = 69.5 oC
Cp = 4.18 J/g x oC
Step 4. Substitute your values into the formula.
q = 24 500 J
m=?
T = 69.5 oC
Cp = 4.18 J/g x oC

m = q/(T)Cp
m = 24 500 J/69.5 oC x 4.18 J/g x oC
Step 5. Cross out units where possible, and solve for unknown.

m = 24 500 J/69.5 oC x 4.18 J/g x oC

m = 84.3344463184 g
Step 6. Round to the correct number of significant digits and check
to see that you answer makes sense.

m = 84.3 g
Our answer makes sense because grams are the correct units for
mass, and the value should be positive.

Type 3. change in temperature (T) is the unknown:

Ex. 850 calories of heat are applied to a 250 g sample of liquid water
with an initial temperature of 13.0 oC. Find a) the change in

temperature and b) the final temperature. (remember, the specific

heat of liquid water, in calories, is 1.00 cal/g x oC.)
Step 1: First read the question and try to understand what they are
asking you. Here they are heating up a sample of water. They want
to know how many degrees increase will result from 850 calories of
heat. Further, they want to know the final temperature of the water,
which will simply be equal to the initial temperature + the change in
temperature.
Step 2: Write the original formula, and then modify it isolate the
unknown.

q = m(T)Cp
q = m(T)Cp
---- --------------m Cp m Cp
T = q/m x Cp
Step 3: List the known and unknown factors. Looking at the units
in the word problem will help you determine which is which.
q = 850 cal
m = 250 g
T = ?
Cp = 1.00 cal/g x oC
Step 4. Substitute your values into the formula
q = 850 cal
m = 250 g
T = ?
Cp = 1.00 cal/g x oC

T = q/m x Cp
T = 850 cal/250 g x 1.00 cal/g x oC
Step 5. Cross out units where possible, and solve for unknown.

T = 850 cal/250 g x 1.00 cal/g x oC

Answer to step a) T = 3.4 oC
Answer to step b) final temperature = 13.0 oC + 3.4 oC =
16.4 oC
Step 6. Round to the correct number of significant digits and check
to see that you answer makes sense.
Answers are already rounded correctly. They make sense because
they show the correct units for temperature and because the final
temperature is higher than the initial temperature, as it should be.

Type 4. Specific Heat (Cp) is the unknown:

Ex. When 34 700 J of heat are applied to a 350 g sample of an
unknown material the temperature rises from 22.0 oC to 173.0 oC.
What must be the specific heat of this material?
Step 1: First read the question and try to understand what they are
asking you. Specific heat is a concept that some students struggle
with. The question is about finding the specific heat by seeing how
much the temperature changes when a certain amount of heat is
applied. Metal heats up faster than water because it has a low
specific heat. If a material has a low specific heat, the temperature
change will be greater for a given amount of heat, when all other
things are equal.
Step 2: Write the original formula, and then modify it to isolate the
unknown.

q = m(T)Cp
q = m(T)Cp
--- ------------m(T) m(T)
Cp = q/m(T)
Step 3: List the known and unknown factors. Looking at the units

in the word problem will help you determine which is which.

q = 34 700 J
m = 350 g
T = (173.0oC - 22.0oC) = 151.0 oC
Cp = ?
Step 4. Substitute your values into the formula
q = 34 700 J
m = 350 g
T = (173.0oC - 22.0oC) = 151.0 oC
Cp = ?

Cp = q/m(T)
Cp = 34 700 J/350 g x 151.0 oC
Step 5. Cross out units where possible, and solve for unknown.

Cp = 34 700 J/350 g x 151.0 oC

Cp = 0.65657521286 J/g x oC
Step 6. Round to the correct number of significant digits and check
to see that you answer makes sense.

Cp = 0.66 J/g x oC
Our answer is logical, and the units are correct.

Heat Transfer Quizzes

Review 2-10c Heat and Temperature By Adam Concepcion,
Class of 2002
Review 2-10d Heat and Temperature By Steven Salvatore,
Class of 2003
Review 2-10e Heat and Temperature By Steven Salvatore,
Class of 2003
Review 2-10f Heat and Temperature By Kevin Wallace, Class
of 2003

Heat Transfer Calculation Worksheets

Worksheet 2-10a Heat Transfer, where q is the unknown
Worksheet 2-10b Heat Transfer, where m is the unknown
Worksheet 2-10c Heat Transfer, where DT is the unknown
Worksheet 2-10d Heat Transfer, where Cp is the unknown
Worksheet 2-10e Heat Transfer by Kevin Ahern, Class of
2001
Worksheet 2-10f Heat Transfer by Jonas Bender-Nash, Class
of 2001
Worksheet 2-10g Heat Transfer by Stephen Caruso, Class of
2001
Worksheet 2-10h Heat Transfer by Kevin Clerkin, Class of
2001

Please forward all questions, comments and criticisms to Gregory L.

Curran.
Copyright 2001 Fordham Preparatory School, All Rights Reserved.
Last Modified

Lesson 2-6
Problem Solving with the 5-Step
Method
A Chemistry student is required to solve many different types
of problems. Despite the variety of problems, some general
practices will help you when solving any type of problem. Good
problem solving strategies will allow you to tackle many types of
problems, and to develop the confidence that you will need to
work at a faster pace. We will be covering what we call the "5step method" of problem solving. There are other methods, but
this works as well as any other.
The steps for the 5-step method are as follows;
1. Write down the "given" or the known information. For this
step, look over the question and take out the information that has
been provided. This includes any "constants" or information
that the problem assumes that you know, or at least know to look
up. For example, you may be asked to solve a problem which
involves knowing the density of copper. The problem may not
actually give you the density of copper, but you may have that
information on a reference table. You might think, "how am I
supposed to know to look up information that is not mentioned in
the problem!?!" The truth is, it is not as bad as it seems. When
you use the 5-step method, you will realize when you don't have
enough information to solve a problem. That will be your key
that you are missing a constant.
2. Determine and write down the unknown variable. This is one
of the easier steps. Most people can read a question and
determine what the unknown is, or what the question is asking
for.
3. Choose an appropriate equation. You may or may not have a

reference sheet with equations on it when you need to solve a

problem. In certain testing situations, you may have to come up
with the equations from memory. In any case, the process of
selecting the appropriate equation involves selecting one that
includes some or all of the variables that you have been given,
and only contains one unknown. The unknown is not always the
one that you are looking for in your final answer, if the particular
problem involves more than one equation. If you can come up
with an equation that contains the variable that your question is
asking for, and it is the only unknown in the equation, then the
problem can be solved with the one equation.
4. Isolate the unknown in the equation. This involves
manipulating the equation algebraically, so that the only thing on
one side of the equal sign represents the physical quantity that
you are solving for. Do this before substituting values for any of
the variables. If you notice more than one unknown in your
equation, go back and look at your reference tables for constants.
5. Plug the known values into the equation, solve for the
unknown, round and add units. Remember to round your final
answer according to the rules of significant digits, and include
units.

Now let us see an example using the 5-step method to

solve problems.
Example 1. What is the length of a wood block with a volume
of 258 cm3, if the width of the block is 21.0cm and the height
is 13.8 cm?

Step 1. Write down the "given" or the known information.

Ah, I see that this is a problem involving the volume, or amount

of space occupied by a wooden block. I will start by writing the

word "given" in my word space. Below this, I will list what I
know, assigning appropriate variables to what I have been given.
Example 1. What is the length of a wood block with a volume
of 258 cm3, if the width of the block is 21.0cm and the height
is 13.8 cm?
Given
V = 258 cm3
W = 21.0cm
H = 13.8 cm

2. Determine and write down the unknown variable.

It is easy to determine the unknown variable in this example.
The question clearly states, "What is the length of a wood
block?" To the right of where I wrote the "givens" in my work
space, I will write the word "find" and list the appropriate
variable for my unknown.
Example 1. What is the length of a wood block with a volume
of 258 cm3, if the width of the block is 21.0cm and the height
is 13.8 cm?
Given

Find

V = 258 L = ?
cm3
W=
21.0cm
H = 13.8
cm

3. Choose an appropriate equation.

The appropriate equation comes easily to mind. To find the

volume of a rectangle, I need to use:

Volume = Length x Width x Height
or
V=LxWxH
You might notice that the units that come with the values you
have been given are often helpful in determining your equation.
The fact that we have cm3 for one value and just cm for two other
values suggests that multiplication has occured.
Now I will write the word "formula" to the right of my other
work. Below that, I will write the formula in its standard form.
Example 1. What is the length of a wood block with a volume
of 258 cm3, if the width of the block is 21.0cm and the height
is 13.8 cm?
Given

Formula
Find

V = 258
cm3

V= LxWx H
L=?

W=
21.0cm
H = 13.8
cm

4. Isolate the unknown in the equation.

Avoid the temptation to plug numbers into the equation now,
as most Science teachers will probably want you to isolate the
unknown first. Rewrite the equation with the unknown on one
side of the equal sign.
Example 1. What is the length of a wood block with a volume
of 258 cm3, if the width of the block is 21.0cm and the height
is 13.8 cm?
Given

Formula
Find

V = 258 cm3
W = 21.0cm
H = 13.8 cm

L=? V= LxWx H
V
L = ---------WxH

5. Plug the known values into the equation, solve for the
unknown, round and add units.
Let's rewrite the working equation at the top of our
workspace, and show all of our work below it. Remember to
work with units. Once you solve the problem, you must round
according to the rules for significant digits.
Example 1. What is the length of a wood block with a
volume of 258 cm3, if the width of the block is 21.0cm and the
height is 13.8 cm?
V
258 cm3
L = ---------- =
3
V = 258 cm L = ? V = L x W ------------------------- =
WxH
21.0cm x 13.8
xH
cm
W = 21.0cm
V
L = 0.890269151 cm
L=
H = 13.8 cm
---------W x H Answer. Length = 0.890
Given

Find Formula

cm
Note - We rounded our final answer to 3 significant digits because
the lowest number of significant digits in the problems was 3.
Now, be sure to check out the worksheets and the online quizzes!

Please forward all questions, comments and criticisms to Gregory L.

Curran.
Copyright 2001 Fordham Preparatory School, All Rights Reserved.
Last Modified