Solution:
Given the information in the question:
Mass of the metal block, m = 0.20 kg = 200 g
The initial temperature of the metal block, = 1500C
The final temperature of the metal block, = 400C
Copper calorimeter has water equivalent of mass, m1= 0.025 kg = 25 g
Volume of water, V = 150 cm3
Mass (M) of water at temperature T = 270C is
Specific heat of water, Cw
Let Specific heat of the metal be c
Evaluating the decrease in the temperature of the metal block –
Thermal expansion (increase in temperature of the water and calorimeter system),
Heat lost by the metal = Heat gained by the water + heat gained by the calorimeter
mCT1 = (M+m1)Cw
C = [(M+m1)Cw]/mT1
= [(150 +25) x 4.186
=(175 x 4.186
= 9523.15/22000
= 0.43
Thus, answer is 0.43
Unless some heat is lost to the surrounding environment, the specific heat of metal will be less than its true value.