Specific Heat: Its Influence on Temperature

In summary, the conversation discusses the relationship between specific heat capacity and temperature. The participants agree that specific heat capacity does vary with temperature, with a leveling off at room temperature for most substances. It is also mentioned that solids generally have lower specific heat than liquids. The definition of specific heat is provided and one participant expresses difficulty understanding scientific terminology.
  • #1
STAii
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Hello.
The other day i couldn't sleep, so i started to think.
After some long thinking, i reached a concludion (i was half sleep anyway !).
I reached the conclusion that the specific heat of any matter is supposed to raise as the temprature of the body raises.
So, am i kind of right ?
Thank you :smile:
 
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  • #2
Does specific heat capacity vary with temperature? Yes. The values usually start to level off once you reach room temperature (there's often an exponential-like rise from very cold temperatures until you reach room temperature for a wide variety of substances) which allows most processes of general interest (e.g. in chemistry & biology) to be treated with a constant specific heat capacity.
 
  • #3
Specific heat is a measure of how much heat it takes to raise the temperature of something 1 degree Celsius.

I imagine it would be true that as the object reaches a higher temperature it would require more heat to raise it's temperature. This is probably due to the fact that the atoms are farther apart when the substance is hot. Generally speaking, solids have lower specific heat than liquids (ice is about half that of water).
 
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Likes Ravi Singh choudhary
  • #4
Originally posted by Artman
Specific heat is a measure of how much heat it takes to raise the temperature of something 1 degree Celsius.
I always had a problem with the scientifical english terms, but i remember that the specific heat is "the amount of heat energy needed to raise 1 kg of a certain matter 1 celsius degree.
Anyway, my explanation of this has nothing to do with volume (i will write it later after i see some replies).
 

1. What is specific heat?

Specific heat is the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of one gram of a substance by one degree Celsius. It is a measure of how easily a substance can absorb and store heat.

2. How does specific heat influence temperature?

Specific heat plays a crucial role in determining the temperature of a substance. The higher the specific heat, the more heat energy is required to raise the temperature of the substance. This means that substances with a higher specific heat will have a slower rate of temperature change compared to substances with a lower specific heat.

3. What factors affect the specific heat of a substance?

The specific heat of a substance is affected by its chemical composition, molecular structure, and state (solid, liquid, or gas). Substances with strong intermolecular forces, such as water, tend to have higher specific heat than substances with weaker intermolecular forces.

4. How is specific heat measured?

Specific heat can be measured using a calorimeter, which is an insulated container that allows for the transfer of heat between a substance and its surroundings. By measuring the change in temperature of the substance and its surroundings, the specific heat can be calculated using the equation Q = m x c x ΔT, where Q is the heat energy transferred, m is the mass of the substance, c is the specific heat, and ΔT is the change in temperature.

5. Why is specific heat important in everyday life?

Specific heat has many practical applications in our daily lives. For example, it helps us understand and predict the weather by influencing the temperature changes in the atmosphere and bodies of water. It also plays a role in cooking, as different foods have different specific heats and require different amounts of heat energy to cook. In industries, specific heat is important for designing and operating processes that involve heating or cooling of substances.

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