How do you calculate specific heat capacity of an unknown metal?

To calculate the capacity of a substance, use the formula ##Q = m C Delta T##

where Q is the quantity of heat (energy) needed to raise the temperature of 1 kg of a substance by 1°C, measured in J; m is the mass of the substance, in kg; C is the specific heat capacity of the material, in ##J/(kg * °C)##; and ##Delta T## is the temperature change, in °C.

If you are looking for the specific heat capacity (C), you will need to isolate it by dividing both sides by ##m Delta T##.

Example:

##2.34 \times 10^4## J of heat are added to 2.0 kg of an unknown metal to cause a temperature change of ##90.0° C##. What is the specific heat capacity of the unknown metal?

##C = Q / (m Delta T)## ##C = (2.34 \times 10^4 J) / (2.0 kg \times 90.0° C)## ##C = 1.30 \times 10^2 J/(kg * °C)##

You can easily look up on a chart of specific heat capacities this value, to find that this metal is (most likely) lead.