Specific Heat Capacity and Latent Heat Questions - GCSE standard

Q4. When a cyclist uses the brakes, the bicycle slows down.

This causes the temperature of the brake pads to increase by 50 °C.

The mass of the brake pads is 40 g.

Given that the specific heat capacity of the material of the brake pads is 480 J/kg °C. Calculate the change in thermal energy of the brake pads.

Change in Energy (J) = SHC (J/kg °C) x mass (kg) x temperature difference (°C)

You have to change the mass into kg - so mass is 0.040 kg

E = 480 x 0.040x 50 = 960 J

[4 marks]

How is the internal energy of the particles in the brake pads affected by the increase in temperature?

Tick one box.

[1 mark]

(Total 5 marks)