Page 134 - text book form physics kssm 2020

Every substance has its own value of specifi c heat capacity. Table 4.2 shows examples of
substances and their specifi c heat capacity.
Table 4.2 Specifi c heat capacity of diff erent substances

Specifi c heat Specifi c heat
Type of Type of
Substance capacity, Substance capacity,
substance substance
–1
–1
c / J kg °C –1 c / J kg °C –1
Liquid Water 4 200 Metal Aluminium 900

Sea water 3 900 Iron 450

Ethanol 2 500 Copper 390

Paraffi n 2 100 Gold 300

Cooking oil 1 850 Mercury 140

Olive oil 1 890 Lead 130

Gas Methane 2 200 Non-metal Polycarbonate 1 250

Wood 1 700
Steam
2 020
(at 100°C)
Concrete 850
Neon 1 030 Sand 800

Air 1 000 Glass 670

Water is a substance which has high specifi c heat capacity. Water needs to absorb a large
amount of heat to have a small rise in temperature. Th is makes water a good cooling agent. Metal
on the other hand has lower specifi c heat capacity compared to non-metal. Th erefore, objects
made from metal get hot quickly when supplied with an amount of heat.

Based on Table 4.2, the specifi c heat
capacity for water is higher compared How can these values
to metals such as aluminium. be determined?

128
128 4.2.2
4.2.2