Question

Substance A has twice the specific heat capacity as substance B. If 1000 J of heat are added to 1.0 kg of each substance, compare the change in temperature of each substance.

Answer 1

Substance A would have a delta T (change in temp) rise 1/2 the rise in substance B.

Q=mc x delta T

Q= heat energy in Joules
m= mass of substance heated or cooled
c= specific heat
ΔT is change in temp.

Solve for change in temp=. Q/mc

Specific heat and mass are not inversely proportional to heat energy input.

Putting into real world scenario of using water to heat a building.

Specific heat of water is 1.
It takes 1 btu to raise one pound of water 1 degF. at a base of 60 degF

Acetone specific heat is .51

So it takes half the amount of heat input to get a 100 degree ΔT, as compared to water.