Chapter 4

Transparency
30
Heat

Specific Heat Capacity (I)

Hot metal rods of the same temperature penetrate a block of wax to different depths.
A 5 cm iron rod penetrates deeper than a 5 cm aluminium Aluminium rod
rod due to its lower heat capacity. 5 cm Aluminium
Iron rod
5 cm rod
A 5 cm aluminium rod penetrates deeper than a 3 cm 3 cm
aluminium rod due to its bigger mass.
If two 5 cm aluminium rods of different temperatures are
placed on the block of wax, the hotter aluminium rod will
penetrate deeper.
Hence, the heat content of a substance depends on its
• Material • Mass • Temperature Block of wax

Specific Heat Capacity, c, of a substance is the quantity of heat required to raise the
temperature of one kilogram of the substance through a temperature of one degree
Celsius. Unit for c is J kg–1 oC–1 (or J kg–1 K–1).
Heat energy = Mass × specific heat capacity × temperature change
Q = mcθ

Solid Specific heat capacity, Liquid Specific heat capacity,

(J kg–1 ºC–1) (J kg–1 ºC–1)
Lead 130 Mercury 140
Silver 235 Benzene 1 740
Copper 400 Oil 1 890
Aluminium 890 Ethanol 2 450
Ice 2 100 Water 4 200

Determination Of Specific Heat Capacity Of A Solid

If there is no heat loss to the surroundings, Transformer
Heat gain by aluminium block = Electric energy supplied Switch
mcθ = VIt
c = VIt Rheostat
mθ A
V Switch
m: mass of aluminium block
c: specific heat capacity of aluminium Thermometer
θ : temperature change Electric Aluminium
V: voltage supplied heater
block
I: current supplied Insulation
t: time taken

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