Question

If equal masses of the following substances aborb the same amount of heat which will experience the most significant change of temperature?

Answer choices:

SiO2(s)

NaCl(s)

H2O(l)

N2(g)

Cu(s)

Answer 1

We know that Q = mcdt

Where

Q = amount of heat absorbed

m = mass of the substance

c = specific heat capacity of substance

dt = change in temperature

As Q and m are same dt is inversely proportional to c

So dt will be more if c is less

The c values are as follows :

SiO2(s) ---1.0 J/g-K

NaCl(s) ---- 0.864 J/g-K

H2O(l)   ---- 4.184 J/g-K

N2(g)    ---- 1.040 J/g-K

Cu(s) ---- 0.386 J/g-K

Since the value of c is less for copper it will experience the most significant change of temperature