Applications of Specific Heat

Question

Question 1
Divers and surfers often use wetsuits when they are spending many hours in the water. The wetsuits have a think layer of water that exists between the material of the suit and the skin of the wearer. Justify the presence of the think layer of water using the data shown here.
Responses
A Water has a low specific heat capacity and will insulate the wearer against colder water temperatures outside the suit.Water has a low specific heat capacity and will insulate the wearer against colder water temperatures outside the suit.
B Water has a high specific heat capacity and will insulate the wearer against colder water temperatures outside the suit.Water has a high specific heat capacity and will insulate the wearer against colder water temperatures outside the suit.
C Water has a low specific heat capacity so the body temperature of the wearer will quickly acclimate to the outside temperature.Water has a low specific heat capacity so the body temperature of the wearer will quickly acclimate to the outside temperature.
D Water has a high specific heat capacity so the body temperature of the wearer will quickly acclimate to the outside temperature.Water has a high specific heat capacity so the body temperature of the wearer will quickly acclimate to the outside temperature.
Question 2
Norman's mother received new cast iron pot for Mother's Day. She was happy, but was reluctant to give up her copper pot, which had been in her family for decades.She described the pot as the best one for her cooking needs. What hypothesis is best supported by the data regarding Norman's mother's preference for her copper pot?
Responses
A Copper has a lower specific heat than iron, so the heat is more easily transferred to the food in an iron pot.Copper has a lower specific heat than iron, so the heat is more easily transferred to the food in an iron pot.
B Copper has a lower specific heat than iron, so the heat is more easily transferred to the food in a copper pot.Copper has a lower specific heat than iron, so the heat is more easily transferred to the food in a copper pot.
C Copper has a higher specific heat than iron, so the heat is more easily transferred to the food in an iron pot.Copper has a higher specific heat than iron, so the heat is more easily transferred to the food in an iron pot.
D Copper has a higher specific heat than iron, so the heat is more easily transferred to the food in a copper pot.

Answer 1

Question 1

The correct response is: B Water has a high specific heat capacity and will insulate the wearer against colder water temperatures outside the suit.

Justification: Water's high specific heat capacity means it can absorb a lot of heat before its temperature changes significantly. This property allows the thin layer of water between the wetsuit and the skin to keep the body warm, as it retains heat and reduces the cooling effect of the colder water surrounding the wetsuit.

Question 2

The correct response is: B Copper has a lower specific heat than iron, so the heat is more easily transferred to the food in a copper pot.

Justification: Copper's lower specific heat means it heats up faster and allows heat to be transferred to the food more efficiently compared to iron, which has a higher specific heat and takes longer to heat up. This makes the copper pot preferable for cooking purposes, as it provides better heat conduction.