I know if there is a negative number it means a reaction is exothermic, but for instance antifreeze, i've gotten a negative number. is this right?
2006-11-08 14:52:03 · 3 answers · asked by z m 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Specific heat cannot be negative. The specific heat of a substance is the amout of heat necessary to raise 1 g of a substance by 1 degree celcius in temperature. You might be thinking about enthalpy with a negative number, because when a reaction is exothermic, the enthalpy change, or ΔH, is less than zero. You can use the specific heat of a substance of known mass to calculate the enthalpy of a reaction in a closed system (for example, in a bomb calorimeter you use the specific heat of water, mass of the water, and the temperature change of water surrounding a submerged reaction vessel to find enthalpy of the reaction).
2006-11-08 16:47:54 · answer #1 · answered by Tomteboda 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
With antifreeze you want a negative number if you live in a cold climate so your block doesn't freeze and crack.
2006-11-08 22:55:43 · answer #2 · answered by unicornfarie1 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
it can be, but it isn't for antifreeze. it should be around 2.4.
2006-11-08 23:02:30 · answer #3 · answered by Victoria 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋