Question
An insulated tube is filled with a large number n of lead spheres, each of mass m. The tube is inverted s times so that the spheres completely fall through an average distance L each time. The temperature of the spheres is measured before and after the inversions and the resultant change in temperature is ΔT.
What is the specific heat capacity of lead?

A \(\frac{sgL}{nm\Delta T}\)
B \(\frac{sgL}{\Delta T}\)
C \(\frac{sgL}{n\Delta T}\)
D \(\frac{gL}{m\Delta T}\)
Answer/Explanation
Ans: B
Here Mechanical energy is converted into Heat Energy.
Each Sphere is moved through a distance of L . hence Gravitation field energy for each sphere each time of inversion = \(mgL\)
Now there are \(n\) sphere which are inverted \(s\) number of times . Hence mechanical (gravitation energy) = \(nsmgL\)
Now \(n\) sphere temperature raise by \(\Delta T\) times. Let \(c\) be specific heat capacity of lead
Hence total heat energy required to raise temperature by \(\Delta T\) = \(nmc\Delta T\)
Hence
\(nmc\Delta T = nsmgL\)
or
\(c=\frac{nsmgL}{nm\Delta T}=\frac{sgL}{\Delta T}\)