Problem: A calorimeter has 1 kg of water (heat capacity of H2O = 4.184 J/g°C) and its heat capacity is 0.10 kJ/°C when it’s empty. The calorimeter increases 5.0°C when 3.9 g of oil shale is burned. The amount of heat released per gram of oil shale is:A. 3.25 kJ/g B. 5.5 kJ/g C. 6.8 kJ/g D. 7.0 kJ/g E. 3.33 kJ/g

We’re being asked to determine the amount of heat released by shale. 

We will use the heat released by the copper piece to calculate its initial temperature. Recall that heat can be calculated using the following equation:

$\boxed{\mathbf{q}\mathbf{=}\mathbf{mc}\mathbf{∆}\mathbf{T}}$

q = heat, J

• +q → absorbs heat
• –q → loses heat

 m = mass (g)
 c = specific heat capacity = J/(g·°C)
 ΔT = T_f – T_i = (°C)