Exploring the Effects of Specific Heat Capacity on Water and Impurities

In summary, the conversation discusses the specific heat capacity of water and the effects of impurities on it. The specific heat capacity of the sample is 0.9 J/gºC and this is found by plugging in the given values into the equation Heat = Mass x Specific heat capacity x Temperature change. The conversation also mentions the importance of understanding what specific heat capacity means and how it relates to temperature change. The second question asks about the effects of a lower specific heat capacity and the answer is that the material will heat up faster with less energy input.
  • #1
purehavoccc
2
0
Does anyone know how to do this? :rolleyes:

I've tried to figure it out but it aint working =/
its for a test i got to turn in now. argh.

The specific heat capacity of water is high, 4.184 J/gºC. The presence of impurities in a sample of water lowers its specific heat capacity. What is the specific heat capacity of the sample if 100 grams of it now requires 200 Joules of heat for a 1.8ºC temperature increase? What are the effects of the low specific heat capacity of the sample of water?

Its okay if anything, i just need to pass this test, anything would help about now. Thank you guys very much.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
Im probably waay to late to help you out. :frown:Im taking that test now. the answer to the specific heat equation is 0.9 J/g C...but I need the second part of that question :confused:
 
  • #3
purehavoccc said:
Does anyone know how to do this? :rolleyes:

I've tried to figure it out but it aint working =/
its for a test i got to turn in now. argh.

The specific heat capacity of water is high, 4.184 J/gºC. The presence of impurities in a sample of water lowers its specific heat capacity. What is the specific heat capacity of the sample if 100 grams of it now requires 200 Joules of heat for a 1.8ºC temperature increase? What are the effects of the low specific heat capacity of the sample of water?

Its okay if anything, i just need to pass this test, anything would help about now. Thank you guys very much.
The first part is nothing more than plugging in the given values. For the second part, understand what specific heat capacity means. A given material can take in a corresponding amount of heat; look again at the units, and use the idea that temperature can be a variable. If x joules of heat are put into a material but temperature changes very little, then heat capacity is a value. If x joules of heat are taken into a material but change of temperature is large, then value of heat capacity is less.

The units for specific heat capacity is (Joules/(gram.degreesC));
Note that "grams" and "degreesC" are in denominator position.
 
  • #4
You can just plug the information into this equation then solve for the unknown.

Heat = Mass x Specific heat capacity x temperature change

I did not get .9 J/g C when I worked the problem, but maybe I'm doing it incorrectly, its been awhile.

For the second question, specific heat is joules over grams times temperature change. So if the specific heat of water is 4.18J/g C, it is saying that it takes 4.18 joules to heat 1 gram of water 1 degree Celsius. If you have a lower specific heat then that is telling you what?

Another example, the specific heat of copper is .385J/g C. So if you have a copper pan on the stove, which heats up faster, then pan or the water in the pan? Thinking about this should give you a suitable answer to the second part of the question.
 

FAQ: Exploring the Effects of Specific Heat Capacity on Water and Impurities

What is the specific heat of water?

The specific heat of water is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one gram of water by one degree Celsius.

Why is the specific heat of water important?

The specific heat of water is important because it plays a crucial role in regulating Earth's temperature and climate. Water has a high specific heat, which means it can absorb and store a large amount of heat without experiencing a significant change in temperature. This helps to moderate the Earth's climate and makes it habitable for living organisms.

How does the specific heat of water compare to other substances?

The specific heat of water is higher than most other substances. This is because of the hydrogen bonds between water molecules, which require a lot of energy to break. This high specific heat allows water to act as a temperature buffer, preventing rapid temperature changes in both the environment and living organisms.

Does the specific heat of water change at different temperatures?

Yes, the specific heat of water does change at different temperatures. At room temperature (25°C), the specific heat of water is 4.18 joules per gram per degree Celsius (J/g°C). However, as the temperature of water increases, its specific heat decreases slightly. At boiling point (100°C), the specific heat of water is 4.07 J/g°C.

How is the specific heat of water used in everyday life?

The specific heat of water is used in various everyday applications, such as cooking, heating and cooling systems, and thermal energy storage. It is also important in industries such as agriculture, where the specific heat of water in soil affects plant growth and in manufacturing, where it is used to control the temperature of chemical reactions. Additionally, the high specific heat of water allows for aquatic animals to survive in fluctuating water temperatures.

Back
Top