# How do you calculate the specific heat capacity of ice?

May 21, 2018

2.108 $\frac{J}{g \cdot K}$ which is found through mathematical calculations and experimental data.

#### Explanation:

It is hard to gauge your question due to the fact that you have not given us any information but to calculate the specific heat capacity of ice. This is a given number which has been found through experimental testing.

The specific heat capacity is a number that tells us how much energy (J or kJ) is required to raise 1 g (or kg) by 1 degree K. We can use the following equation:

Energy$= m \cdot c \cdot \triangle T$

In this equation m equals the mass of our sample, c is the specific heat of our sample and delta T is our change in temperature.
For the purposes of this I am going to make up some numbers to show you how to calculate specific heat.

Lets say you add 1054 J of energy to a sample of 100 grams of ice and its temperature raises from 243.15 K to 253.15 K. Using the equation shown above we can calculate the specific heat of ice.

1054 J=100g*c*(253.15K-243.15K)

Now we rearrange our equation to solve for c by dividing both side by 100g and 10K (because 253.15-243.15 = 10). Giving us the following equation:

$\frac{1054 J}{50 g \cdot 10 K}$ = 2.108 $\frac{J}{g \cdot K}$