Question

Vicente is going to spend the afternoon in his yard. He has the choice to get in the pool, lay on a cotton chaise longue, sit on the porcelain tile bordering the pool, or sit on a plastic chair. The specific heats of these items are:

Water = 4.19 J/g•°C

Cotton = 1.30 J/g•°C

Porcelain = 1.07 J/g•°C

Plastic = 1.67 J/g•°C

Based on the specific heat values given, where is the coolest location for Vicente to be?

pool
cotton chaise lounge
porcelain tile
plastic chair

Answer 1

Pool.

Water has the highest specific heat (4.19 J/g·°C), so it absorbs the most heat without warming much — it will stay coolest compared to the cotton, porcelain, or plastic.