Chapter 17.1, Problem 7LC

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The two factors on which the heat capacity of an object depends have to be described.

Concept Introduction : Heat capacity is the amount of heat required to bring about a change of $1°\text{C}$ in a given amount of substance.

Answer to Problem 7LC

Heat capacity depends on the mass of the given substance and the material from which it is made.

Explanation of Solution

The heat capacity of a substance describes how the temperature change on absorption or release of heat. Thus, we can say heat capacity is the capacity of a substance to contain heat. A substance having low heat capacity will not be able to hold a lot of heat energy and thus, warms up faster. Similarly, a substance with high heat capacity will be able to hold a lot of heat energy and thus, warms up slowly.