When a 86 g sample of an alloy at 100.0 oc is dropped into 90.0 g of water at 20.1 oc, the final temperature is 34.3 oc. what is the specific heat of the alloy? (the specific heat of water is 4.184 j / (goc).) ?

Let's apply the concept of conservation of energy.

∑E = 0

Energy released by alloy + Energy absorbed by water = 0

Energy released by alloy = - Energy absorbed by water

(mass of alloy) (Cp, alloy) (T - T₀) = - (mass of water) (Cp, water) (T - T₀)

where Cp is the specific heat capacity

Substituting the values,

(86 g) (Cp, alloy) (34.3 - 100) = - (90 g) (4.184 J/g·°C) (34.3 - 20.1)

Solving for Cp, alloy,

Cp, alloy = 0.946 J/g·°C

Therefore, the specific heat of the alloy is 0.946 J/g·°C.