Specific heat capacity and themal conductivity

In summary, the conversation discusses the properties of specific heat capacity and thermal conductivity and whether they can coexist in a compound. The speaker mentions that water is a good example of a compound that has both properties. They also mention that while most materials have a specific heat of 1 J g-1 K-1, thermal conductivity varies greatly depending on the material. The conversation then shifts to discussing the possibility of creating lava rock composites in a lab that can withstand extreme temperatures and be molded. The speaker is unsure about the viability of this idea and suggests that other substances may be more suitable for such high temperatures.
  • #1
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Can a compound have a high specific heat capacity and be a good thermal conductor, or are these properties mutually exclusive?
 
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  • #2
I believe water is good at both of those. Heat capacity just means that it takes more energy to heat the material up, while thermal conductivity means that a material will transfer heat between itself and other objects much quicker if it has a high conductivity. I don't know for sure but I would think that these would not be mutually exclusive.
 
  • #3
Looking at it another way, most materials will have a specific heat on the order of 1 J g-1 K-1. Thermal conductivity is about 1 W m-1 K-1 for water, tens or hundreds of W m-1 K-1 for metals, and higher for diamond.
 
  • #4
Could it be possible to recreate from a Lab, lava rock composites that can withstand extreme temperatures in excess of 2400 F? And could this be molded?
 
  • #5
I don't know what you are aiming at. Quarz glas which is similar to lava melts at 1400C but it gets much softer way before. Most of the Earth crust is quartz of feldspar with a melting point around 1400°C There are substances that you can mould that withstand your temperatures easily, but with lava rock you are probably on the wrong track.
 

Related to Specific heat capacity and themal conductivity

1. What is specific heat capacity?

Specific heat capacity is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one unit mass of a substance by one degree Celsius. It is often measured in joules per gram per degree Celsius (J/g°C) or in calories per gram per degree Celsius (cal/g°C).

2. How is specific heat capacity different from heat capacity?

Specific heat capacity is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of a specific amount of a substance by one degree Celsius, while heat capacity is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of an entire object by one degree Celsius. Specific heat capacity takes into account the mass of the substance, while heat capacity does not.

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

The specific heat capacity of a substance can be affected by its molecular structure, density, and phase (solid, liquid, or gas). It can also be affected by external factors such as pressure and temperature.

4. What is thermal conductivity?

Thermal conductivity is a measure of a material's ability to conduct heat. It is defined as the amount of heat that can pass through a unit area of a substance in a unit time when there is a temperature difference of one degree between the two sides.

5. How does thermal conductivity impact the transfer of heat?

Higher thermal conductivity means that heat can be transferred more easily through a material. This is why materials like metals, which have high thermal conductivity, are often used in cooking utensils, as they can transfer heat quickly and evenly. On the other hand, materials with low thermal conductivity, like insulation, are used to slow down heat transfer and keep things like buildings or refrigerators at a consistent temperature.

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