Question

Which substance is most likely to heat up the fastest?

water (specific heat of 4.19 J/g • C°)
copper (specific heat of 0.39 J/g • C°)
aluminum (specific heat of 0.90 J/g • C°)
dry air (specific heat of 1.01 J/g • C°)

Answer 1

The rate at which a substance heats up is inversely related to its specific heat capacity. A substance with a lower specific heat capacity will heat up faster when the same amount of energy is applied.

In the options provided:
- Water: 4.19 J/g • °C (highest specific heat, heats up slowest)
- Copper: 0.39 J/g • °C (lower specific heat, heats up faster)
- Aluminum: 0.90 J/g • °C (heats up faster than water but slower than copper)
- Dry air: 1.01 J/g • °C (heats up faster than water but slower than copper and aluminum)

Among these substances, copper has the lowest specific heat capacity (0.39 J/g • °C), which means it will heat up the fastest when the same amount of energy is applied.

**Therefore, copper is the substance most likely to heat up the fastest.**