Thermodynamics

Question 1

What is specific heat capacity and its corresponding equation?

Answer 1

The energy required to raise the temperature of 1kg of a substance by 1K
without changing its state

ΔE = mcΔθ
c given the units Jkg^-1K^-1

Question 2

What can be said about substances with a low specific heat capacity c?

Answer 2

They warm up and cool down quickly as it takes less energy to change its temperature

Question 3

What can be said about substances with a high specific heat capacity c?

Answer 3

They warm up and cool down slowly as it takes more energy to change its temperature

Question 4

What is specific heat capacity and its corresponding equation?

Answer 4

The energy required to change the state of 1kg of a substance
without changing its temperature

ΔE = LΔm

L given the units Jkg^-1

Question 5

What is specific latent heat of fusion?

Answer 5

The energy required to convert 1kg of a solid to liquid (or vice versa)
without changing its temperature

Essentially, it is used for the transition between solids and liquids (melting/freezing)

Question 6

What is specific latent heat of vaporisation?

Answer 6

The energy required to convert 1kg of a liquid to gas (or vice versa)
without changing its temperature

Essentially, it is used for the transition between liquids and gases (boiling/evaporating/vaporisation/condesing)