Question

1. what is specific heat ?Explain briefly ?

2.what are the units of specific heat ?

3.Explain the applications of specific heat in daily life examples ?

4.principle of method of mixtures derivation and formula ?

Answer 1

1.The specific heat is the amount of heat per unit mass required to raise the temperature by one degree Celsius. The relationship between heat and temperature change is usually expressed in the form shown below where c is the specific heat. The relationship does not apply if a phase change is encountered, because the heat added or removed during a phase change does not change the temperature.


2.The unit of heat capacity is joule per kelvin , or kilogram metre squared per kelvin second squared in the International System of Units (SI). The dimensional form is L2MT−2Θ−1. Specific heat is the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of one kilogram of mass by 1 kelvin.


3.

1) Utensils used for making tea or coffee, or cooking vegetables or rice are made of materials of low specific heat. They are polished at the bottom. So they get heated quicker. For example, copper, aluminum etc.

2) Materials that have high specific heat can be used as insulators. For example wood has a high specific heat. Wooden houses will keep the inside cooler during summer. Builders can choose building materials appropriately depending on the location and altitude. That allows to build warmer houses or cooler houses.

3) The handles of utensils at home are made of materials which have very high specific heat. They act as thermal insulators. The insulating capability or conductivity is also dependent on specific heat.

4) Instrument like thermometer, the body may be made of higher specific heat and the tip is made of material of low specific heat.

5) The water in swimming pool remains cool even in summer and people enjoy a lot staying inside the pool. The reason is high specific heat of water.

6) Steam has a high specific heat (more than water). Steam is used to carry a lot of heat energy at high pressures to run rail engines or rotors in AC generators.