(c) What is the heat capacity of 185 g of liquid water?

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the specific heat capacity of liquid water, which is typically 4.18 J/g°C.
2. Use the formula for heat capacity: \( C = m \cdot c \), where \( C \) is the heat capacity, \( m \) is the mass, and \( c \) is the specific heat capacity.
3. Substitute the given mass of water (185 g) and the specific heat capacity (4.18 J/g°C) into the formula.
4. Calculate the product of the mass and the specific heat capacity to find the heat capacity.
5. Ensure the units are consistent and the final answer is in Joules per degree Celsius (J/°C).

Key Concepts

Heat Capacity

Heat capacity is the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of a substance by one degree Celsius. It is an extensive property, meaning it depends on the amount of substance present. For water, the specific heat capacity is typically 4.18 J/g°C, indicating that it takes 4.18 joules of energy to raise the temperature of one gram of water by one degree Celsius.

Specific Heat Capacity

Specific heat capacity is a measure of how much heat energy is needed to change the temperature of a unit mass of a substance by one degree Celsius. It is expressed in units of J/g°C. Water has a high specific heat capacity, which means it can absorb a lot of heat without a significant change in temperature, making it an excellent coolant and temperature stabilizer in various environments.

Calculating Heat Capacity

To calculate the heat capacity of a given mass of a substance, you multiply the mass of the substance by its specific heat capacity. For example, to find the heat capacity of 185 g of water, you would use the formula: Heat Capacity = mass × specific heat capacity. This calculation provides insight into how much energy is needed to change the temperature of the water, which is crucial in thermodynamic processes.