Formative 8D: Specific Heat

Specific heat capacity is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of a mass of a substance by 1°C. The amount of heat can be calculated using the formula Q=mc∆T, where Q is the heat gained or lost, m is the mass of the object, c is the specific heat, and ∆T is the change in temperature. Heat capacity data is useful when designing certain objects such as a frying pan. A frying pan should have a base that heats up quickly and an insulating handle to prevent burns. A frying pan and the heat capacity data of some materials are shown.

Drag and drop the materials to order them from which can heat up the FASTEST (1) to the SLOWEST (5).

• Stainless Steel

• Silicon

• Aluminum

• Copper

• Plastic Polymer

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Which material should be used for the base that will heat up the quickest?

• Copper, because it has the lowest specific heat, which makes it the best conductor.

• Copper, because it has the highest specific heat, which makes it the best insulator.

• Wood, because it has the highest specific heat, which makes it the best conductor.

• Wood, because it has the lowest specific heat, which makes it the best insulator.

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Hannah is designing a pot and a spoon that will be used to prepare food. She would like the pot to heat up quickly and the spoon to remain cool to the touch. Hannah reviews the specific heats of several materials listed in the chart below. Which materials should Hannah choose for her pot and spoon?

• Hannah should choose copper for her pot because it has the lowest specific heat, and she should choose wood for her spoon because it has the highest specific heat.

• Hannah should choose wood for her pot because it has the highest specific heat, and she should choose copper for her spoon because it has the lowest specific heat.

• Hannah should choose wood for her pot because it has the highest specific heat, and she should choose rubber for her spoon because it has the second highest specific heat.

• Hannah should choose copper for her pot because it has the lowest specific heat, and she should choose steel because it has the second lowest specific heat.

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Jayla and her grandma are designing a lunchbox. The lunchbox will be made out of thin fabric and a zipper, with an extra layer of material to help keep food cold all morning. Jayla is deciding whether the extra layer of material will be foam or rubber. The specific heat capacity of each material is shown in the table. Using the data, explain which material would be best to include in the lunchbox.

• The best material to use is rubber, since it is the best conductor. A conductor will help increase the transfer of heat from inside of the lunchbox to outside of the lunchbox.

• The best material to use is rubber, since it is the best insulator. An insulator will help slow the transfer of heat from outside of the lunchbox to inside of the lunchbox.

• The best material to use is foam, since it is the best conductor. A conductor will help increase the transfer of heat from inside of the lunchbox to outside of the lunchbox.

• The best material to use is foam, since it is the best insulator. An insulator will help slow the transfer of heat from outside of the lunchbox to inside of the lunchbox.

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Gita is designing shirts for her science club. The table shows the fabrics she can choose for her shirts. Gita wants to use a fabric that will heat up and cool down quickly. Which material would be the best choice for the shirts?

• cotton

• polyester

• silk

• wool

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Why do different substances have different specific heats?

• Each substance has a different density.

• Each substance has a different solubility.

• Each substance absorbs different wavelengths of light.

• Each substance absorbs a different amount of heat energy.

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When baking a cake, why are cake pans made out of metal?

• Metal conducts heat very well.

• Metal makes the cake taste better.

• Another material would melt in the oven.

• Another material would be too heavy to use.

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