Question

comparing specific heat of different materials
use this chart showing the different specific heat of various materials to answer the questions.
which material has the highest specific heat?
which material has the lowest specific heat?
which material has the ability to absorb twice as much heat as aluminum when placed in the same environment of mass and temperature?
material specific heat (j/g°c)
aluminum 0.90
iron 0.44
lead 0.16
sand 0.83
steel 0.49
wood 1.80
water 4.18

Explanation:

Step1: Identify highest value

Compare all specific - heat values in the table.

Step2: Identify lowest value

Compare all specific - heat values to find the smallest one.

Step3: Find material with double heat - absorbing capacity

Let the specific heat of aluminum be $c_{Al}=0.90\ J/g^{\circ}C$. We need to find a material with specific heat $c = 2\times0.90=1.80\ J/g^{\circ}C$.

Answer:

1. water
2. lead
3. wood