Heat transfer refers to the movement of thermal energy from one object or substance to another. In our exercise, heat energy is being transferred to increase the temperature of liquid water. This occurs through a process called conduction, where heat passes through a material without moving the material itself. The formula used for calculating this transfer is:
Here, \( Q \) represents the heat energy transferred, \( m \) is the number of moles of the substance, \( c \) is the specific heat capacity, and \( \Delta T \) is the change in temperature. In this exercise, we need to raise the temperature of 3.50 moles of water by 50°C. This requires a specific amount of energy, which we calculate based on the formula provided. This process is crucial in understanding how energy is absorbed or released during chemical changes in everyday phenomena. Learning about heat transfer is essential in fields such as engineering, meteorology, and even cooking. Understanding how to calculate this transfer is fundamental in thermodynamics.