Specific heat capacity and specific latent heat
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Define specific heat capacity.
Specific heat capacity (c) is the energy required to raise the temperature of 1 kg of a substance by 1 K (or 1 °C) without a change of state.
What is the equation that relates heat transfer, mass, specific heat capacity, and temperature change?
The equation is: Q = mcΔT, where Q is the heat transfer (J), m is the mass (kg), c is the specific heat capacity (J kg⁻¹ K⁻¹), and ΔT is the change in temperature (K or °C).
Define specific latent heat.
Specific latent heat (L) is the energy required to change the state of 1 kg of a substance without any change in temperature. There are two types: fusion and vaporisation.
What is the difference between specific latent heat of fusion and specific latent heat of vaporisation?
Specific latent heat of fusion (Lf) is the energy needed to change 1 kg of a substance from solid to liquid (or liquid to solid). Specific latent heat of vaporisation (Lv) is the energy needed to change 1 kg of a substance from liquid to gas (or gas to liquid).
Write the equation for calculating the heat transfer during a change of state.
The equation is: Q = mL, where Q is the heat transfer (J), m is the mass (kg), and L is the specific latent heat (J kg⁻¹). L can be Lf (fusion) or Lv (vaporisation).
Describe an experiment to determine the specific heat capacity of a metal block.
Use an electrical heater inserted into the metal block. Measure the power supplied (P) and the temperature change (ΔT) over a time (t). Then use the equation mcΔT = Pt to calculate c, the specific heat capacity. Account for heat losses.
Describe the energy changes involved when ice at -10°C is heated to steam at 110°C.
Energy is absorbed to: (1) Increase ice temp to 0°C, (2) Melt ice to water at 0°C, (3) Increase water temp to 100°C, (4) Vaporize water to steam at 100°C, (5) Increase steam temp to 110°C. Equations: Q=mcΔT for temperature changes; Q=mLf for melting; Q=mLv for vaporizing.
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