The specific heat of octane, C₈H₁₈(l), is 2.22 J•g/K. (b) Which will require more heat, increasing the temperature of 1 mol of C₈H₁₈(l), by a certain amount or increasing the temperature of 1 mol of H₂O(l) by the same amount?

Key Concepts

Specific Heat Capacity

Specific heat capacity is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one gram of a substance by one degree Celsius (or Kelvin). It is a crucial property that varies between different substances, influencing how much energy is needed to change their temperature. In this question, the specific heat of octane is given, which allows for comparison with water's specific heat to determine which substance requires more heat for the same temperature change.

Molar Mass and Moles

Molar mass is the mass of one mole of a substance, typically expressed in grams per mole (g/mol). Understanding moles is essential in chemistry as it allows for the conversion between mass and the number of particles. In this question, both octane and water are considered in terms of moles, which helps in calculating the total heat required for temperature changes based on their specific heat capacities.

Heat Transfer and Energy Calculations

Heat transfer refers to the movement of thermal energy from one object or substance to another, often quantified using the formula Q = mcΔT, where Q is the heat added, m is the mass, c is the specific heat capacity, and ΔT is the change in temperature. This concept is fundamental in determining how much heat is needed to raise the temperature of a substance, allowing for a direct comparison between octane and water in the context of the question.