Specific Heat Capacity

Question 1

What is temperature?

Answer 1

Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of molecules.
How hot or cold something is.
Measured in degrees celcius

Question 2

What is thermal energy?

Answer 2

Thermal energy is stored in all objects with mass and temperature (kinetic energy.)
- measured in Joules (J)

Question 3

What happens to the thermal store if something has a higher specific heat capcacity?

Answer 3

• The higher the specific heat capacity, the more energy needed to raise 1kg of water by 1 degree celcius.
• It retains the thermal store (can absorb more heat.)
• Takes longer to increase in temperarure

Question 4

What happens to the temperature if something has a low specific heat capacity?

Answer 4

The temperature will be higher as it requires less energy to raise 1kg of water by 1 degree celcius.

Question 5

Do metals have a low or high specific heat capacity?

Answer 5

• Low, they will increase temperature rapidly.

Question 6

What is the equation for specific heat capacity?

Answer 6

Energy change = specific heat capacity x mass x change in temperature

Question 7

What is the specific heat capacity of water?

Answer 7

4200J/Kg°C

Question 8

What is meant by “energy change” in specific heat capacity equation?

Answer 8

• The change in energy of the material after being heated.
  This is the same as “energy supplied

Question 9

I heat a substance for 10 minutes.
What 3 factors affect how much temp it will increase by?

Answer 9

1.) Type of material
2.) Mass
3.) Energy input into system.

Question 10

What does an increase in temperature depend on ?

Answer 10

• Mass of material
• Type of material
• Energy supplied
  Use SHC equation