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What is C of water?

Published in Specific Heat Capacity 2 mins read

The "C" of water, referring to its specific heat capacity, is 4.186 J/g°C. This value signifies the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of one gram of water by one degree Celsius.

Understanding Specific Heat Capacity

Specific heat capacity is an intrinsic property of a substance that indicates its ability to absorb and store heat. Water's relatively high specific heat capacity makes it an excellent temperature regulator.

Significance of Water's High Specific Heat

  • Temperature Moderation: Water's high specific heat helps to moderate temperatures in coastal regions. Large bodies of water absorb and release heat slowly, preventing drastic temperature swings.
  • Biological Significance: Water's ability to absorb heat without significant temperature change is crucial for maintaining stable internal temperatures in living organisms.
  • Industrial Applications: Water is widely used as a coolant in industrial processes due to its capacity to absorb large amounts of heat.

Units of Specific Heat Capacity

Specific heat capacity can be expressed in different units, including:

  • Joule per gram per degree Celsius (J/g°C): 4.186 J/g°C for water
  • Joule per kilogram per degree Celsius (J/kg°C): 4186 J/kg°C for water
  • Calorie per gram per degree Celsius (cal/g°C): 1 cal/g°C for water (since 1 calorie = 4.186 Joules)
  • BTU per pound per degree Fahrenheit (BTU/lb°F): Approximately 1 BTU/lb°F for water

Example

To raise the temperature of 100 grams of water from 20°C to 25°C, you would need:

Energy = mass x specific heat x temperature change

Energy = 100 g x 4.186 J/g°C x (25°C - 20°C)

Energy = 100 g x 4.186 J/g°C x 5°C

Energy = 2093 J

Therefore, it would take 2093 Joules of energy.