Question

Two metals with equal mass and different heat capacities are subject to the same amount of heat; which undergoes the smallest change?
a) The metal with the higher heat capacity.
b) The metal with the lower heat capacity.
c) Both undergo the same change in temperature.
d) You need to know the initial temperatures of the metals.
e) You need to know which metals you have.

Answer 1

Answer:

a) The metal with the higher heat capacity.

Explanation:

The heat (Q) absorbed by a metal can be calculated using the following expression.

Q = c × m × ΔT

where,

c is the specific heat capacity of the metal

m is the mass of the metal

ΔT is the change in the temperature

Q = c × m × ΔT

ΔT = Q/ c × m

Considering both metals have equal mass (m) and are subject to the same amount of heat (Q), the change in the temperature is inversely proportional to the specific heat capacity. The metal with the higher specific heat capacity will undergo the smallest change in temperature.