Which sample is most likely to experience the smallest temperature change upon observing 55KJ of heat? 

100 g of water: specific heat of water 4.18 J/g°C

Explanation:

To know the correct answer to the question, we shall determine the temperature change in each case.

For 100 g of water:

Mass (M) = 100 g

Specific heat capacity (C) = 4.18 J/g°C

Heat absorbed (Q) = 55 KJ = 55000 J

Change in temperature (ΔT) =..?

Q = MCΔT

55000 = 100 x 4.18 x ΔT

Divide both side by 100 x 4.18

ΔT = 55000/ (100 x 4.18)

ΔT = 131.6 °C

Therefore the temperature change is 131.6 °C

For 50 g of water:

Mass (M) = 50 g

Specific heat capacity (C) = 4.18 J/g°C

Heat absorbed (Q) = 55 KJ = 55000 J

Change in temperature (ΔT) =..?

Q = MCΔT

55000 = 50 x 4.18 x ΔT

Divide both side by 50 x 4.18

ΔT = 55000/ (50 x 4.18)

ΔT = 263.2 °C

Therefore the temperature change is 263.2 °C

For 50 g of lead:

Mass (M) = 50 g

Specific heat capacity (C) = 0.128 J/g°C

Heat absorbed (Q) = 55 KJ = 55000 J

Change in temperature (ΔT) =..?

Q = MCΔT

55000 = 50 x 0.128 x ΔT

Divide both side by 50 x 0.128

ΔT = 55000/ (50 x 0.128)

ΔT = 8593.8 °C

Therefore the temperature change is 8593.8 °C.

For 100 g of iron:

Mass (M) = 100 g

Specific heat capacity (C) = 0.449 J/g°C

Heat absorbed (Q) = 55 KJ = 55000 J

Change in temperature (ΔT) =..?

Q = MCΔT

55000 = 100 x 0.449 x ΔT

Divide both side by 100 x 0.449

ΔT = 55000/ (100 x 0.449)

ΔT = 1224.9 °C

Therefore the temperature change is 1224.9 °C.

The table below gives the summary of the temperature change of each substance:

Mass >>> Substance >> Temp. Change

100 g >>> Water >>>>>> 131.6 °C

50 g >>>> Water >>>>>> 263.2 °C

50 g >>>> Lead >>>>>>> 8593.8 °C

100 g >>> Iron >>>>>>>> 1224.9 °C

From the table given above we can see that 100 g of water has the smallest temperature change.