Question

Equal masses of granite, iron, copper, and lead are placed in sunlight. Based on specific heat, which material will warm up the fastest? *

Answer 1

Answer:

Lead

Explanation:

The material that will warm up the fastest would be lead.

The specific heat capacity of a substance is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of a unit of the substance by one degree. The higher the specific heat capacity of a substance, the higher the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of the substance and vice versa.

The specific heat capacity (in J/g °C) of granite, iron, copper, and lead are as follows:

Granite - 0.790

Iron    - 0.450

Copper - 0.385

Lead - 0.129

From the table, lead has the lowest specific heat capacity, hence, it will be the fastest to get warmed when equal masses of all the substances are placed in the sunlight.