Question 402 of 949
What is the term used to describe the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of 1 kilogram of a substance by 1 degree Celsius?
- Thermal Conductivity
- Specific Heat Capacity
- Latent Heat
- Heat Transfer Coefficient
Correct Answer:
B
Explanation
The correct option is **B. Specific Heat Capacity**.
### Detailed Explanation:
1. **Definition of Specific Heat Capacity**:
- Specific heat capacity is defined as the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of 1 kilogram of a substance by 1 degree Celsius (or 1 Kelvin). It is a property that varies from one material to another and is crucial in understanding how substances respond to heat.
2. **Formula**:
- The specific heat capacity (c) can be mathematically expressed using the formula:
\[
Q = mc\Delta T
\]
where:
- \( Q \) = heat energy (in joules)
- \( m \) = mass of the substance (in kilograms)
- \( c \) = specific heat capacity (in joules per kilogram per degree Celsius, J/kg°C)
- \( \Delta T \) = change in temperature (in degrees Celsius)
3. **Understanding the Concept**:
- When heat energy is added to a substance, its temperature increases. The specific heat capacity tells us how much energy is needed to achieve this temperature change. For example, water has a high specific heat capacity (approximately 4,186 J/kg°C), meaning it requires a lot of energy to increase its temperature compared to metals like iron, which have a lower specific heat capacity.
4. **Why Other Options Are Incorrect**:
- **A. Thermal Conductivity**: This term refers to the ability of a material to conduct heat. It measures how quickly heat can pass through a substance, but it does not relate to the amount of heat required to change the temperature of a substance.
- **C. Latent Heat**: Latent heat is the amount of heat required to change the state of a substance (e.g., from solid to liquid or liquid to gas) without changing its temperature. This is different from specific heat capacity, which deals with temperature changes within a single state of matter.
- **D. Heat Transfer Coefficient**: This term describes the efficiency of heat transfer between a solid surface and a fluid (like air or water) in contact with it. It is not a measure of the heat required to change the temperature of a substance but rather how effectively heat is transferred.
### Example Calculation:
Suppose we want to calculate the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 2 kg of water from 20°C to 30°C. Using the specific heat capacity of water (4,186 J/kg°C):
1. Identify the mass \( m = 2 \) kg.
2. Identify the specific heat capacity \( c = 4,186 \) J/kg°C.
3. Calculate the change in temperature \( \Delta T = 30°C - 20°C = 10°C \).
4. Substitute into the formula:
\[
Q = mc\Delta T = 2 \, \text{kg} \times 4,186 \, \text{J/kg°C} \times 10°C = 83,720 \, \text{J}
\]
Thus, 83,720 joules of heat energy are required to raise the temperature of 2 kg of water by 10°C.
### Common Pitfalls:
- Confusing specific heat capacity with latent heat; remember that specific heat capacity deals with temperature changes, while latent heat deals with phase changes.
- Not paying attention to the units; ensure that mass is in kilograms and temperature change is in degrees Celsius or Kelvin.
- Misunderstanding the context of heat transfer; specific heat capacity is a property of the material itself, while thermal conductivity and heat transfer coefficient relate to how heat moves through or between materials.
### Revision Summary:
- Specific heat capacity is the heat required to raise 1 kg of a substance by 1°C.
- Formula: \( Q = mc\Delta T \).
- High specific heat capacity means a substance can absorb a lot of heat without a significant temperature change.
- Distinguish between specific heat capacity, latent heat, thermal conductivity, and heat transfer coefficient.