1. The temperature of two substances with the same mass increases by 20 degrees Celsius. Which absorbs the most energy, the substance with the higher or lower specific heat? Explain
2. The human body is approximately 60% water. Explain how this high percentage of water helps the body handle rapid changes in outside temperature.
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1. To determine which substance absorbs the most energy, we need to consider the specific heat of each substance. Specific heat is the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of a given substance by one degree Celsius per unit mass.
If two substances with the same mass increase in temperature by 20 degrees Celsius, the substance with the lower specific heat will absorb more energy. This is because a substance with a lower specific heat requires less energy to raise its temperature compared to a substance with a higher specific heat.
So, in this case, the substance with the lower specific heat absorbs more energy since it requires less energy to increase its temperature.
To find the specific heat of a substance, you can refer to reliable scientific sources such as textbooks, scientific articles, or online databases. These sources often provide specific heat values for various substances.
2. The human body being approximately 60% water is beneficial when it comes to handling rapid changes in outside temperature due to water's high heat capacity. Heat capacity is the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of an object or substance by one degree Celsius.
Water has a relatively high heat capacity, which means it can absorb and store a significant amount of heat energy without experiencing drastic changes in temperature. This property helps regulate body temperature and prevents rapid temperature fluctuations in response to changes in the environment.
When exposed to high temperatures, the water in the body absorbs heat from the surroundings, contributing to cooling the body down through processes like sweating and evaporation. This helps dissipate excess heat and maintain a stable body temperature.
Conversely, when exposed to cold temperatures, the water in the body releases heat, helping to keep the body warm and prevent a drastic drop in body temperature.
This high percentage of water in the human body allows it to act as a thermal buffer, helping to minimize the impact of temperature changes and maintain a relatively stable internal environment.