Very basic question on calorimetry

[sc4s2cg]

---

Members don't see this ad.

The equation Q = MCdT

What exactly does the Q represent? Is it the heat needed to break apart/melt the object? Or the heat needed to raise the object's temperature by 1C? I thought the latter was the specific heat?

 

[Raiden2012]

The equation Q = MCdT

What exactly does the Q represent? Is it the heat needed to break apart/melt the object? Or the heat needed to raise the object's temperature by 1C? I thought the latter was the specific heat?

Q represent the heat needed to raise the temperature of the object by the temperature dT. It does not necessarily have to be 1 degree.

You're confusing it with specific heat capacity which is c

 

[milski]

Q represent the heat needed to raise the temperature of the object by the temperature dT. It does not necessarily have to be 1 degree.

You're confusing it with specific heat capacity which is c

Never mind, misread what you wrote.

 

[sc4s2cg]

Ah. So Q is just a more general c.

c = raise by 1C
Q = raise by some given temperature.

 

[Raiden2012]

Ah. So Q is just a more general c.

c = raise by 1C
Q = raise by some given temperature.

Don't forget mass!
To be more precise
c = amount of heat to raise the temperature of 1 kg of substance by 1 degree
Q = amount of heat to raise the temperature of x kg of substance by y degree