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

Copper. It has the lowest specific heat (0.39 J/g·°C), so for the same energy input per gram it requires the least energy to raise its temperature. (Note: real heating rates also depend on mass/volume, thermal conductivity and heat-transfer conditions.)