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Lesson 41 · Q = mcΔT, asked every way
The price tag on a degree
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The price tag on a degree

Q=mc ΔTQ = mc\,\Delta T — Q equals m c delta-T — is one fact wearing four outfits: solve it for QQ, for mm, for cc or for ΔT\Delta T, and it answers four different exam questions. Push the units through before any arithmetic: kg×J/(kg⋅∘C)×∘C=J\mathrm{kg} \times \mathrm{J/(kg\cdot{}^{\circ}C)} \times {}^{\circ}\mathrm{C} = \mathrm{J} — everything cancels to joules, so the machine is honest. If your rearrangement's units refuse to cancel, it is wrong — no appeal. (Units that do work out never prove it right.)

Two flags for this lesson. First: ΔT\Delta T is a difference, and a difference of 30 C° is a difference of 30 K — for ΔT\Delta T, Celsius is safe as houses. Second: cc arrives per kilogram, and problems love to hand you grams. Convert before the socket — the g-vs-kg slip is worth a thousand-fold error, and this lesson sets that trap on purpose.

mcpQΔT

Q=mcΔTQ = m c \Delta T

  • QQ= Heat energy (energy)
  • mm= Mass (mass)
  • cpc_p= Specific heat capacity (specific heat capacity)
  • ΔT\Delta T= Temperature change (temperature difference)
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