Heat and Specific Heat

Specific Heat

​7e. analyze and interpret the concept of specific heat data to justify the selection of a material for a practical application (e.g., insulators and cooking vessels)

Specific Heat

What is it?

The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of the unit mass of a given substance by a given amount (usually one degree).

Lower specific heat capacity
requires a smaller amount of heat energy to raise its temperature
faster to warm up or cool down
ex - most metals

​​Conductors

Higher specific heat capacity
requires a larger amount of heat energy to raise its temperature
slower to warm up or cool down
ex - plastic and wood

​​Insulators

Multiple Choice

How does heat flow?

• Heat remains constant regardless of temperature.
• Heat flows equally in all directions.
• Heat flows from hot to cold.
• Heat flows from cold to hot.

Multiple Choice

A high specific heat means...

• A substance has a low boiling point.
• A substance cannot store heat energy effectively.
• A substance heats up quickly with little heat input.
• A substance can absorb a lot of heat without a significant temperature change.

Multiple Choice

A low specific heat means...

• It retains heat for a long time.
• It has a high boiling point.
• It requires more energy to change temperature.
• It heats up and cools down quickly.

Multiple Choice

There are four cups of hot cocoa. The cup sizes are shown. The temperature of the cocoa in each cup is 25 degrees celsius. Which cup has the MOST thermal energy?

• Tall
• Trenta
• Grande
• Venti

Multiple Choice

Copper, Stainless Steel, Carbon Steel, and Zinc were all heated using 10,000 JOULES of thermal energy.  What material would be have the LARGEST change in temperature?

• Stainless Steel
• Zinc
• Copper
• Carbon Steel

Multiple Choice

Copper, Stainless Steel, Carbon Steel, and Zinc were all heated using 10,000 JOULES of thermal energy.  Based on the chart, which material would have the SMALLEST temperature change?

• Stainless Steel (AISI 304)
• Chromium Steel
• Carbon Steel
• Aluminum

Multiple Choice

There are 2 pans of water, one has 100 mL in it and one has 1000mL. You add 4000 joules of energy,  which one has the bigger change in temperature?

• The 1000 mL pan has the bigger change in temperature.
• The 100 mL pan has the bigger change in temperature.
• Both pans have the same change in temperature.
• The temperature change cannot be determined without knowing the specific heat capacity.

Multiple Choice

If I have 2 blocks of Aluminium (one of 1kg and one of 10 kg) and heat them up with 6,000 Joules of energy. Which one will have the SMALLEST change in temperature?

• The 1 kg block of Aluminium.
• Both blocks will have the same change in temperature.
• Neither block will change in temperature.
• The 10 kg block of Aluminium.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following would be the best insulator?

• Copper
• Wood
• Glass
• Styrofoam

Multiple Choice

Which of the following would be the best insulator?

• Gold
• Copper
• Aluminum
• Silver

Multiple Choice

Which of the following materials, all at 25°C, can absorb the most heat while having the smallest temperature change?

• H2O(l)
• O2(g)
• Fe(s)
• Cu(s)

Multiple Choice

With all other factors equal, the most likely to burn your mouth when taken directly from an oven is ...

• cheese
• sauce
• crust
• cheese, sauce, and crust

Multiple Choice

When heat is absorbed by a substance, what happens to the temperature of the substance?

• The temperature of the substance fluctuates randomly.
• The temperature of the substance increases.
• The temperature of the substance remains the same.
• The temperature of the substance decreases.

Multiple Choice

f two objects have different temperatures when they come in contact, heat will flow from the warmer object to the cooler one UNTIL ____________

• the cooler object absorbs all the heat
• they are both heated to the same temperature
• the warmer object cools down completely
• they reach thermal equilibrium

Multiple Choice

The larger the object's mass, the ______ it will change temperature (higher heat capacity)

• faster
• easier
• quicker
• slower

Multiple Choice

The smaller the mass, the _______ the thermal heat capacity, causing the object to warm up faster.

• constant
• lower
• variable
• higher

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best explains why the sand at the beach is hotter than the water?

• The sand heats up faster than the water due to its lower specific heat capacity.
• The water is constantly moving, preventing it from heating up.
• Sand reflects sunlight, keeping it cooler than the water.
• The water absorbs heat from the sun more effectively than sand.