18 flashcards · Shared on 19 August 2026 by AtomAI Library
Flip each card to check yourself.
What is the specific heat capacity of a substance?
The energy needed to raise the temperature of 1 kg of the substance by 1 K
What is the specific heat capacity of a substance?
The energy needed to raise the temperature of 1 kg of the substance by 1 K
Which equation links energy transferred, mass, specific heat capacity and temperature change?
E = mcΔT
What is the SI unit of specific heat capacity?
J kg⁻¹ K⁻¹
How much energy is needed to raise the temperature of 2 kg of water by 5 K if its specific heat capacity is 4200 J kg⁻¹ K⁻¹?
42,000 J
A material has a high specific heat capacity. What does this mean?
It requires a large amount of energy for a given mass and temperature rise
What does specific latent heat describe?
The energy needed to change the state of 1 kg without changing its temperature
Which equation is used to calculate the energy transferred during a change of state?
E = mL
What is the unit of specific latent heat?
J kg⁻¹
Specific latent heat of fusion is the energy required to do what?
Melt 1 kg of a solid without a temperature change
Specific latent heat of vaporisation is the energy required to do what?
Change 1 kg from liquid to gas without a temperature change
Why does the temperature of a pure substance remain constant while it melts at constant pressure?
The supplied energy changes the particles' arrangement and potential energy rather than their average kinetic energy
What happens to the internal energy of a substance while it boils, even though its temperature remains constant?
It increases because particle potential energy increases
Which changes of state release energy to the surroundings?
Freezing and condensation
A 0.50 kg block melts completely. Its specific latent heat of fusion is 334,000 J kg⁻¹. How much energy is transferred?
167,000 J
On a heating curve, what does a horizontal section usually represent?
A change of state is occurring at constant temperature
A 100 W heater operates for 120 s with no energy losses. How much energy does it transfer?
12,000 J
A 100 W heater warms a 2.0 kg block by 10 K in 120 s, with no energy losses. What is the block's specific heat capacity?
600 J kg⁻¹ K⁻¹
How does evaporation differ from boiling?
Evaporation can occur at the surface below the boiling point, while boiling occurs throughout the liquid at its boiling point