Question detail
A 3 kg block of copper is heated and absorbs 900 J of energy, resulting in a temperature increase of 10 °C. What is the specific heat capacity of copper (Temperature changes in a system and specific heat capacity) (Temperature changes in a system and specific heat capacity; definition focus: Calculate specific heat capacity when energy change, mass and temperature change are known) (Temperature changes in a system and specific heat capacity; definition focus: Calculate specific heat capacity when energy change, mass and temperature change are known)
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
MCQ
Type
practice
Style
Topic
Internal energy and energy transfers
Question
- A. 30 J/kg°C
- B. This confuses specific heat capacity with a different particle-model idea in Internal energy and energy transfers.
- C. This gives a vague particle statement without answering the definition focus.
- D. This reverses the cause and effect for Temperature changes in a system and specific heat capacity.
Answer
The correct answer is 30 J/kg°C.
Explanation
Boundary lens: Keep this separate from nearby specification points that use similar words but test a different idea. This question asks: A 3 kg block of copper is heated and absorbs 900 J of energy, resulting in a temperature increase of 10 °C. What is the specific heat capacity of copper (Temperature changes in a system and specific heat capacity) (Temperature changes in a system and specific heat capacity; definition focus: Calculate specific heat capacity when energy change, mass and temperature change are known) (Temperature changes in a system and specific heat capacity; definition focus: Calculate specific heat capacity when energy change, mass and temperature change are known). The correct response is 30 J/kg°C, because density links mass and volume, so the answer must preserve which quantity is being calculated. In Temperature changes in a system and specific heat capacity, the marking point should connect directly to calculate specific heat capacity when energy change, mass and temperature change are known. If the question includes values, the working must keep the appropriate unit and operation; if it is an explanation, it must name the relevant particle behaviour or energy change. This item belongs to Internal energy and energy transfers, so avoid answers that switch to a different quantity, confuse heat with temperature, or describe gas pressure without collisions when collisions are the reason. Checkpoint 310 is distinct because it uses this exact question context and the boundary lens rather than a generic particle-model sentence.
Common mistake
Confusing Specific Heat Capacity with Thermal Energy
Students often confuse specific heat capacity with the total thermal energy transferred, thinking they are the same concept.
Remember that specific heat capacity is the energy required to raise the temperature of one kilogram of a substance by one degree Celsius, while thermal energy is the total energy transferred in a process.
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