Question 1: Define specific heat capacity in your own words.

Answer: The amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of 1 kilogram of a substance by 1 degree Celsius (or Kelvin).

Question 1: Explain how specific heat capacity affects how quickly a material heats up or cools down.

Answer: Materials with high specific heat capacities heat up and cool down more slowly because they require more heat energy to change temperature.

Question 2: Which of the following materials has the highest specific heat capacity? a) Aluminum, b) Water, c) Copper, d) Iron.

Answer: Water

Question 1: A 2 kg block of aluminum absorbs 6000 Joules of heat energy, raising its temperature by 5°C. What is the specific heat capacity of aluminum? (Use Q = mcΔT)

Answer: 600 J/kg°C

Question 2: If 500 Joules of heat are added to 0.5 kg of sulfur, and its temperature increases by 2°C, what is the specific heat capacity of sulfur?

Answer: 500 J / (0.5 kg × 2°C) = 500 J / 1 kg°C = 500 J/kg°C

Question 1: A student heats 1 kg of water from 20°C to 80°C using an electric heater that supplies 2,000 Joules per second. How long does it take to heat the water? (Assume all energy goes into heating the water, specific heat capacity of water = 4186 J/kg°C).

Answer: Q = mcΔT = 4186 × 1 × (80 - 20) = 4186 × 60 = 251,160 Joules. Time = Energy / Power = 251,160 / 2000 ≈ 125.58 seconds.

Question 2: A data table shows that a certain metal takes 300 Joules to increase its temperature by 2°C when 1 gram (0.001 kg) of it is heated. Calculate its specific heat capacity.

Answer: Q = mcΔT → c = Q / (m × ΔT) = 300 / (0.001 × 2) = 300 / 0.002 = 150,000 J/kg°C

Question 1: Explain why water is used as a coolant in car engines and in nuclear reactors.

Answer: Because water has a high specific heat capacity, it can absorb and carry away a large amount of heat without a significant increase in temperature, helping to prevent overheating.

Question 2: Describe how understanding specific heat capacity is important in designing climate control systems for buildings.

Answer: Designers use materials with appropriate specific heat capacities to regulate indoor temperature efficiently. High heat capacity materials can absorb excess heat during the day and release it at night, maintaining comfortable indoor conditions and improving energy efficiency.