Substance Specific Heat Capacity J/Kgo C

Ammonia 4700
Ethanol 2440
Gasoline 2220
Water 4186

500 ml of four different liquids are heated to 50oC. According to the specific heat data, which liquid will cool to 35oC in the shortest amount of time?
Responses
A ammoniaammonia
B ethanolethanol
C gasolinegasoline
D water

1 answer

To determine which liquid will cool to 35°C in the shortest amount of time, we can analyze the specific heat capacities of the four liquids. The specific heat capacity indicates how much energy is required to change the temperature of a given mass of substance by a specific amount. A lower specific heat capacity means that the substance will experience a temperature change more quickly when a certain amount of heat is lost.

Here are the specific heat capacities of the liquids provided:

  • Ammonia: 4700 J/kg·°C
  • Ethanol: 2440 J/kg·°C
  • Gasoline: 2220 J/kg·°C
  • Water: 4186 J/kg·°C

Since gasoline has the lowest specific heat capacity (2220 J/kg·°C), it will require the least amount of energy loss to cool down compared to the other liquids.

Therefore, gasoline (option C) would cool to 35°C in the shortest amount of time.