Question

Based on the definition of specific heat and the information provide below, if the same amount of heat is added to 1 kg of all these substances, which substance will raise in temperature to the highest value?

Specific Heat Values (J/kg°C) of Different Materials:

Aluminum: 897

Helium: 5193

Steel: 490

Water: 4182


Aluminum

Helium

Steel

Water
Best answer

Answer 1

To determine which substance will experience the highest temperature increase when the same amount of heat is added, we can use the formula:

\[
\Delta T = \frac{Q}{m \cdot c}
\]

Where:
- \(\Delta T\) is the change in temperature,
- \(Q\) is the amount of heat added,
- \(m\) is the mass of the substance,
- \(c\) is the specific heat capacity of the substance.

Given that we have 1 kg of each substance and the same amount of heat \(Q\) added, the change in temperature \(\Delta T\) will be inversely proportional to the specific heat capacity \(c\). The formula simplifies to:

\[
\Delta T \propto \frac{1}{c}
\]

Substances with lower specific heat values will have a higher temperature increase when the same amount of heat is added.

Now looking at the specific heat values provided:

- Aluminum: 897 J/kg°C
- Helium: 5193 J/kg°C
- Steel: 490 J/kg°C
- Water: 4182 J/kg°C

Since we want the substance with the lowest specific heat capacity:

1. **Steel** (490 J/kg°C) has the lowest specific heat capacity among the listed materials, indicating it will experience the highest temperature increase when the same amount of heat is added.

Thus, if the same amount of heat is added to 1 kg of all these substances, **Steel** will raise in temperature to the highest value.