An engineer is testing a new high-temperature alloy block designed for a concentrated solar power plant's thermal storage system. Table 1 shows the experimental data recorded during a heating cycle.
Table 1
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Mass of alloy block | 2.5 kg |
| Initial temperature of block | 120 ∘C120 \text{ }^\circ\text{C}120 ∘C |
| Final temperature of block | 480 ∘C480 \text{ }^\circ\text{C}480 ∘C |
| Thermal energy supplied | 450,000 J450,000 \text{ J}450,000 J |
Using data from Table 1, calculate the specific heat capacity of the alloy.
Use the equation:
specific heat capacity=change in thermal energymass×increase in temperature \text{specific heat capacity} = \frac{\text{change in thermal energy}}{\text{mass} \times \text{increase in temperature}} specific heat capacity=mass×increase in temperaturechange in thermal energy