Question

The substances below are listed by increasing specific heat capacity value. Starting at 30.0 °C, they each absorb 100 kJ of thermal energy. Which one do you expect to increase in temperature the least? Cadmium, 0.230 J/(g °C) Sodium, 1.21 J/(g °C) Water, 4.184 J/(g °C) Hydrogen, 14.267 J/(g °C)

Answer 1

The heat change is related to specific heat as

Heat change = mass of substance X specific heat X change in temperature

So if we are considering same amount of substance

and we are starting with the same temperature

the change in temperature will be inversely proportional to the specific heat

higher the specific heat lower the temperature change

Thus the change in temperature will be least for the substance with highest specific heat.

Answer: Hydrogen