Question

Substance Specific Heat (J kg-1 K-1)
Aluminum 900
Copper 390
Brass 380
Silver 230
Platinum 130


If 500 J of energy were added to 1 kg of each of these samples, which would experience the LEAST temperature increase?
Responses
A AluminumAluminum
B BrassBrass
C CopperCopper
D Platinum

Answer 1

To determine which substance experiences the least temperature increase when 500 J of energy is added to 1 kg of each sample, we can use the formula for temperature change:

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

Where:
- \(\Delta T\) is the temperature increase,
- \(Q\) is the energy added (in joules),
- \(m\) is the mass (in kg), and
- \(c\) is the specific heat capacity (in J kg\(^{-1}\) K\(^{-1}\)).

For each of the given substances with 1 kg mass and \(Q = 500\) J, we can calculate the temperature increase:

1. **Aluminum**:
\[
\Delta T = \frac{500}{1 \cdot 900} = \frac{500}{900} \approx 0.556 \, \text{K}
\]

2. **Copper**:
\[
\Delta T = \frac{500}{1 \cdot 390} = \frac{500}{390} \approx 1.282 \, \text{K}
\]

3. **Brass**:
\[
\Delta T = \frac{500}{1 \cdot 380} = \frac{500}{380} \approx 1.316 \, \text{K}
\]

4. **Silver**:
\[
\Delta T = \frac{500}{1 \cdot 230} = \frac{500}{230} \approx 2.174 \, \text{K}
\]

5. **Platinum**:
\[
\Delta T = \frac{500}{1 \cdot 130} = \frac{500}{130} \approx 3.846 \, \text{K}
\]

Now comparing the temperature increases:
- Aluminum: 0.556 K
- Copper: 1.282 K
- Brass: 1.316 K
- Silver: 2.174 K
- Platinum: 3.846 K

The substance that experiences the least temperature increase when 500 J of energy is added is **Aluminum**.

Thus, the correct response is:
**A. Aluminum**