Chapter 10, Problem 23A

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The reason for metallic substances tend to have (lower/ higher) specific heat capacities than non-metallic substances need to be explained.

Concept Introduction:Metallic substances are good heat and electricity conductors while nonmetallic substances are weak heat conductors. Different substances have different heat capacities, so to adjust their temperature they require different amounts of energy.

Answer to Problem 23A

The specific heat capacity of metallic substances is smaller than that of non-metallic substance.

Explanation of Solution

Metallic substances are conductor of heat but non-metallic substances are not. Metals, therefore, need less heat to raise the temperature of $1\text{g}$ of metal by $1°\text{C}$ . Non-metallic substances need a significant quantity of heat to raise their temperature by $1°\text{C}$ . Hence, specific heat capacities of metallic substances is lower than nonmetallic substances.

Conclusion

Specific heat capacity is the energy needed to raise the $1\text{g}$ of substances' temperature by $1°\text{C}$ .