IB Physics SL B.1.9 Specific and Latent Heat Question Bank

Practise specific heat and latent heat calculations using Q = mcΔT, Q = mL, power and energy balance in exam questions and lab contexts.

Exam points

Apply Q = mcΔT and Q = mL to heating, cooling and phase-change stages, keeping units consistent.
Use power–time data and energy balance to calculate specific heat, latent heat, flow rate or final temperature.
Interpret heating curves, losses and mixtures to distinguish temperature change from phase-change energy.

[Maximum number: 3]

This question is in two parts. Part 1 is about ideal gases and specific heat capacity. Part 2 is about simple harmonic motion and waves.
Part 1 Ideal gases and specific heat capacity

Argon behaves as an ideal gas for a large range of temperatures and pressures. One mole of argon is confined in a cylinder by a freely moving piston.

The temperature of the argon is 300 K . The piston is fixed and the argon is heated at constant volume such that its internal energy increases by 620 J . The temperature of the argon is now 350 K .

Determine the specific heat capacity of argon in $\mathrm{Jkg}^{-1} \mathrm{~K}^{-1}$ under the condition of constant volume. (The molecular weight of argon is 40 )

Mass of gas $=0.040\ \mathrm{kg}$ .
$c=Q/(m\Delta T)$ , or $620=0.040\times c\times50$ .
$c=310\ \mathrm{J\ kg^{-1}\ K^{-1}}$ .

c=\frac{620}{0.040\times50}=310\ \mathrm{J\ kg^{-1}\ K^{-1}}

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B.1.9—Specific heat and latent heat question 1