If a substance has a high specific heat capacity, which statement is true?

If a substance has a high specific heat capacity, which statement is true?

• A. It stores a lot of heat energy for a given mass and temperature change; it heats up slowly.
• B. It heats up quickly for a small amount of energy.
• C. It has high density.
• D. It easily dissolves in water.

Answer: (A)

Specific heat capacity tells how much heat is needed to raise the temperature of a given mass by one degree. A high value means you must add a lot of heat for the same mass and temperature change, so the substance stores more heat and heats up more slowly. That’s why the statement describing both storing a lot of heat for the same mass and temperature change and heating up slowly is correct. The other ideas aren’t about how much energy is needed to change temperature: density is about how compact the material is, and solubility is about how well it dissolves in water. A high specific heat does not imply high density or easy dissolution, and it wouldn’t mean it heats up quickly from just a small amount of energy.

Specific heat capacity tells how much heat is needed to raise the temperature of a given mass by one degree. A high value means you must add a lot of heat for the same mass and temperature change, so the substance stores more heat and heats up more slowly. That’s why the statement describing both storing a lot of heat for the same mass and temperature change and heating up slowly is correct.

The other ideas aren’t about how much energy is needed to change temperature: density is about how compact the material is, and solubility is about how well it dissolves in water. A high specific heat does not imply high density or easy dissolution, and it wouldn’t mean it heats up quickly from just a small amount of energy.