uses of specific heat in our daily life
Answers
Specific heat or specific heat capacity s = heat capacity / mass
or, ΔQ = m s (T₂ - T₁)
Specific heat gives the amount of heat energy required for heating a substance of 1 unit mass by 1 °C. So more the specific heat, more the energy required for heating the substance.
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 of 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.
Explanation:
Application of Specific Heat capacity in daily situations are..
1. Substances having a small specific heat capacity can be quickly heated up, it also experience a big change in temperature even though only small amount of heat is supplied.
2. Substances having a small specific heat capacity, are very useful as material in cooking instruments such as frying pans, pots, kettles and so on, because, they can be quickly heated up even when small amount oh heat is supplied.
3. Sensitive thermometers also must be made from materials with small specific heat capacity so that it can detect and show a change of temperature rapidly and accurately.
4. Substances that have a high specific heat capacity is suitable as a material for constructing kettle handlers, insulators and oven covers, because, a high amount of heat will cause only a small change in temperature aka the material won't get hot too fast!
5. Heat storage instruments are very useful and they are usually made of substances with a high specific heat capacity.
6. Water as a cooling agent acts excellent as a cooling agent in engines. Water is also used in houses in cold climate countries because as it is heated up (boiled) it tends to retain heat and warm the house due to its high specific heat capacity.