Specific heat capacityIB MYP Physics: Mind map

Exam questions on Specific heat capacity

1. On a sunny afternoon in Dubai, the sand on a beach becomes too hot to walk on, while the sea water beside it feels pleasantly cool. Each kilogram of sand and each kilogram of sea water absorbs about the same amount of energy from the Sun.
   Explain why the temperature of the sand rises by much more than the temperature of the sea water.2 marks
2. An electric kettle contains 1.5 kg of water at 20 °C. The heating element has a power of 2000 W. The specific heat capacity of water is 4200 J/kg °C, and the water must reach 100 °C to boil.
   In practice the kettle takes longer than the time calculated. Explain why.2 marks
3. A student measures the specific heat capacity of aluminium using a block of mass 1.00 kg. The block has two holes: one holds a 12 V electric heater and the other holds a thermometer. The heater carries a current of 5.0 A for 300 s. The block is not insulated, and its temperature rises from 20.0 °C to 39.0 °C.
   Calculate the specific heat capacity of aluminium from the student's results. Give your answer to three significant figures.3 marks