Chapter 17, Problem 99A

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The reason why some substances absorb more heat than others is to be found.

Concept Introduction : Heat capacity is the amount of heat required to change the heat content of a given amount of matter by one-degree Celsius.

Answer to Problem 99A

The concrete block becomes hot, but water stays cool because water has a high heat capacity as compared to cement.

Explanation of Solution

Two substances that are exposed to the same amount of heat, will have different temperature changes depending on their heat capacity.

For example, the heat capacity of water is 4 times higher than that of cement. As the heat capacity of water is more than that of cement, it would take much higher heat to raise the temperature of water by the same amount as that of cement.