Which material would have a higher specific heat:
a. a material made of heavier particles
b. a material made of lighter particles
c. the mass of the particles does not affect specific heat
B: A material made of lighter particles
To determine which material would have a higher specific heat, we need to understand the concept of specific heat and how it relates to the properties of materials.
Specific heat refers to the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of a substance by a certain amount. It is typically measured in units of joules per gram per degree Celsius (J/g°C) or calories per gram per degree Celsius (cal/g°C).
Now, let's look at the given options:
a. A material made of heavier particles: The specific heat of a substance is determined by the types of particles and their interaction with heat energy, rather than the mass of the particles. Therefore, the weight or mass of the particles in a substance would not directly affect its specific heat.
b. A material made of lighter particles: Similarly, the specific heat of a substance is not determined by the mass of the particles, but rather by their properties and the way they interact with heat energy.
c. The mass of the particles does not affect specific heat: This statement is correct. The specific heat of a substance is an intrinsic property and is typically independent of the mass of the particles composing the substance.
In summary, the specific heat of a material is determined by its atomic or molecular structure, chemical composition, and the forces of attraction between its particles. The mass of the particles does not directly affect specific heat. Therefore, option c is the correct answer.